Parent Notes

  • Welcome to Palo Alto Middle School! It is our goal for all students to be successful and regular school attendance is a major component to student academic success. Students who miss school (full day or partial day) are required to turn in a note from their parent/guardian or professional office explaining their absence. 

    A parent can excuse their child due to illness in lieu of a doctor’s note. However, there is a limit of ten (10) parent notes per school year. 

    Please include the following information in all notes:

    • Students' First and Last Names as they appear on their Student ID 
    • Date of Birth 
    • Grade 
    • Date of absence and reason for absence

    Professional Appointments – (Medical, Dental, Legal) 

    In the event your student has a medical, dental or legal appointment, notes from the health care or legal professional are required. All notes should be turned in to the office upon returning to school. 

Unexcused Absence(s)

  • Absences with parental knowledge such as missing the bus, baby-sitting, visiting relatives, vacations, moving, extended holidays, shopping, car trouble, and oversleeping are documented as UNEXCUSED. 

  • Tardy 

    • Tardy 

      Students are considered tardy when the tardy bell rings. 15 minutes after the tardy bell, a student is considered absent without proper documentation (I.e.: blue pass, clinic pass). If a student does not provide a pass, the absence will remain unexcused.