HERE Now Initiative
Attendance Resources/HERE Initiative:
HERE! Attendance Contract
Attendance on a daily basis is a mandatory requirement of all students. To assist Hampton City Schools families with becoming familiar with the attendance expectations for elementary, middle, and high school, parents and children are required to sign the HERE! Attendance Contracts. This is just to ensure that the expectations and legal responsibilities are understood. Please select the appropriate link for your child’s grade level to view or obtain a copy of the contract. Elementary Contract | Secondary Contract | Homebound Options (Application)
We realize that extenuating circumstances may occur that would make participating in a traditional school setting difficult for a child. To qualify for homebound services, please review eligibility requirements in the Extended Services/Homebound Handbook. and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. This Act ensures educational rights and protection for youth and children experiencing homelessness.
Hampton’s HERE! Initiative Tips:
If your child is going to be absent from school, as his/her parent/guardian, please:
social isolation
teen pregnancy
substance abuse
educational failure
dropping out
Attendance problems often occur in urban settings among students from low-income families. Truancy and absenteeism are especially problematic for special education students. Additional information can be accessed from your local school administrators.
Attendance Resources/HERE Initiative:
- Attendance Policy
- Attendance Forgiveness Options
- Community Resources
- If you feel your child or family is in need of additional resources, such as supplemental income, medical insurance, and or counseling, please click on the Community Resources link above. These are local resources that may be of help to your family. Please speak to your child’s school counselor if you have any questions.
HERE! Attendance Contract
Attendance on a daily basis is a mandatory requirement of all students. To assist Hampton City Schools families with becoming familiar with the attendance expectations for elementary, middle, and high school, parents and children are required to sign the HERE! Attendance Contracts. This is just to ensure that the expectations and legal responsibilities are understood. Please select the appropriate link for your child’s grade level to view or obtain a copy of the contract. Elementary Contract | Secondary Contract | Homebound Options (Application)
We realize that extenuating circumstances may occur that would make participating in a traditional school setting difficult for a child. To qualify for homebound services, please review eligibility requirements in the Extended Services/Homebound Handbook. and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. This Act ensures educational rights and protection for youth and children experiencing homelessness.
Hampton’s HERE! Initiative Tips:
If your child is going to be absent from school, as his/her parent/guardian, please:
- Call school and inform attendance clerk that your child will not be attending school that day and provide an explanation.
- Be sure to contact school each morning your child will be absent.
- Upon your child returning to school, provide him/her with a note to excuse absences (save a copy for yourself for verification that note was submitted). The note should include date(s) of absences, name of child, and reason for absences.
- If the attendance clerk is unavailable, leave a message stating: name of child, grade level, and explanation for absence.
- If you are aware of scheduled appointments for your child (i.e., medical, dental, etc.) in advance that will take place during school hours, inform and provide documentation to the attendance clerk ahead of time or when your child returns to school.
- If you know ahead of time your child will be out of school for two or more days due to medical reasons, death in the family, etc. keep contacting the school until you can speak to someone directly and receive instruction on how to (receive) excused absences.
- Vacations are not excused absences.
- Only five parent notes will be accepted to excuse absences. Beyond this, medical or other documentation will need to be submitted.
- Truancy is a primary risk factor for:
social isolation
teen pregnancy
substance abuse
educational failure
dropping out
Attendance problems often occur in urban settings among students from low-income families. Truancy and absenteeism are especially problematic for special education students. Additional information can be accessed from your local school administrators.