Attendance Point of Contact
When school is missed, learning is missed! Chronic tardiness, absences, and early dismissals adversely impact learning. Miner's staff member in charge of attendance is Mr. Tildon Copeland, our Manager for Strategy and Logistics (MSL). He can answer any questions about attendance and review your child’s attendance with you. Please remember that an excuse note is required by law for every absence in grades K-5. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Mr. Copeland.
If your child is absent please fill out this excuse form. This will speed up the process of approving excused absences. You can also scan the QR code to the right.
Point of Contact: Mr. Tildon Copeland (tildon.copeland@k12.dc.gov)
If your child is absent please fill out this excuse form. This will speed up the process of approving excused absences. You can also scan the QR code to the right.
Point of Contact: Mr. Tildon Copeland (tildon.copeland@k12.dc.gov)
Attendance Policy and Frequently Asked Questions
Our goal is to educate the Miner Community on the DCPS Attendance Policy and have a learning environment for all students that promotes academic success, regular attendance, and parent engagement.
Daily Arrival
What needs to be done if a Miner Bear is absent from school?
Fill out the Absence Excuse Form or e-mail Mr. Copeland at tildon.copeland@k12.dc.gov. Absences without notes or those deemed not valid will be marked “unexcused.” All notes must be submitted to Mr. Copeland within 5 school days to be processed. The note must include your student's name, date(s) of the absence(s), reason for absence, and a parent/guardian’s signature. If a student is sick a doctor’s note is required after 5 days absent.
Excused Absences
When students are absent from school with a valid excuse and parental approval.
Unexcused Absences
When students have been absent from school without a valid excuse, regardless of parental approval.
Why am I getting an automated phone call about my student’s attendance?
Daily automated messages are sent to the parent/guardian’s primary number in our ASPEN/Blackboard reporting system if a student is absent from school. If you believe you received a phone call by mistake, please contact Mr. Copeland to ensure your student was marked present or their absence was excused.
How long do have to submit an excuse note?
Excuse notes must be provided to the school within 5 days of returning to school. To submit your student's excuse note, complete this form, bring a signed note to the Main Office, or email Mr. Copeland.
If a student is tardy, are they considered absent?
No, being tardy is not considered a class absence. However, arriving late on a regular basis affects classroom grades and opportunities.
How are absences addressed at Miner ES and DCPS?
Daily Arrival
- 8:20am: Doors open
- 8:30am: Scholars are to report to school daily
- 8:45am: Scholars should be seated and ready for instruction
- 8:50am: Scholars are considered late and must report to the attendance office for a late pass
What needs to be done if a Miner Bear is absent from school?
Fill out the Absence Excuse Form or e-mail Mr. Copeland at tildon.copeland@k12.dc.gov. Absences without notes or those deemed not valid will be marked “unexcused.” All notes must be submitted to Mr. Copeland within 5 school days to be processed. The note must include your student's name, date(s) of the absence(s), reason for absence, and a parent/guardian’s signature. If a student is sick a doctor’s note is required after 5 days absent.
Excused Absences
When students are absent from school with a valid excuse and parental approval.
- Student illness (a doctor’s note is required if a student is absent for more than 5 days)
- Medical reasons (such as a doctor’s appointment; doctor’s office note required)
- Death in student's immediate family
- Judicial proceeding (if student is appearing as plaintiff, defendant, witness, or juror)
- Religious holiday
- Temporary school closing (due to weather, unsafe conditions, or other emergencies)
- Visiting military parent
- DC public transportation issues (where legally responsible)
- Authorized school activity (college visits, field trips, performances, internships, etc.)
- Emergency (circumstances approved by the Attendance Office)
- School visit (1 day during the school year)
Unexcused Absences
When students have been absent from school without a valid excuse, regardless of parental approval.
- Vacation
- Babysitting
- Shopping
- Running errands
- Oversleeping
- Job hunting
- Hair appointments
Why am I getting an automated phone call about my student’s attendance?
Daily automated messages are sent to the parent/guardian’s primary number in our ASPEN/Blackboard reporting system if a student is absent from school. If you believe you received a phone call by mistake, please contact Mr. Copeland to ensure your student was marked present or their absence was excused.
How long do have to submit an excuse note?
Excuse notes must be provided to the school within 5 days of returning to school. To submit your student's excuse note, complete this form, bring a signed note to the Main Office, or email Mr. Copeland.
If a student is tardy, are they considered absent?
No, being tardy is not considered a class absence. However, arriving late on a regular basis affects classroom grades and opportunities.
How are absences addressed at Miner ES and DCPS?
- One (1) or two (2) unexcused absences: Teachers will notify the parent/guardian of student’s absence.
- Five (5) unexcused absences: Parent/guardian and student (grades K-5) are required to have a Student Attendance Conference. Students in PreK-3 and PreK-4 will be referred to the ECE Family Services Team.
- Seven (7) unexcused absences: K-5 students will receive a Metropolitan Police Department/DCPS notification letter.
- Ten (10) unexcused absences: Students will be referred to Child and Family Services for Educational Neglect (ages 5- 13).
- Fifteen (15) unexcused absences: K-5 students will be referred to Court Social Services.
- Twenty (20) consecutive absences: Students in all grades (PreK-5) will be dropped from school roster and parent/guardian will be notified. PreK and out of boundary K-5 students will not be permitted to re-enroll without going through the My School DC Lottery process.