Student and Family Resources

ATTENDANCE, TARDIES, and EARLY PICK-UP 

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is required for promotion to the next grade. Research shows that student attendance directly impacts student outcomes. A child who comes to school regularly performs better academically. Additionally, funding for our school is based on student attendance. Each day a child is absent represents approximately $25 of funding lost for the school. 

We are here to support you and your family, however, persistent absences and/or late arrivals may result in a referral to the Truancy Court and/or CPS. Remember that this applies to ALL students enrolled in public school including parents paying tuition for PK 3 and 4 year old students. 

Daily attendance is taken by the classroom teacher at the official attendance time of 9:45 a.m. Students who are not in school at 9:45 a.m. are marked absent. If a student attends school for part of the day and leaves for an appointment with a medical professional, they can be considered present if they return with a doctor’s note. 

A written explanation, including dates of absences, should be sent to your child’s teacher upon their return to school or emailed to Ms. Leon (dleon1@houstonisd.org). Excuses for absences and tardies are: 

• Personal illness (fever, vomiting or diarrhea);
• Dental or doctor appointments (note required from physician)
• Death in the immediate family;
• Quarantine;
• Weather or road conditions making travel dangerous;
• Observance of religious holy days;
• Health services provided to Medicare-eligible students
• School sponsored or school sanctioned activities away from the campus;
• Suspensions;
• Court appearance;
• Competitive athletic event duly sanctioned by the national governing body for a sport as recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Absences that extend weekends or HISD school holidays or for the purpose of taking family trips are not excused. 

Written excuses are still considered an absence and a note should be in the school's possession no later than three school days after the date of the absence or tardy. The three-day period begins with the day the student returns to school. You can send the note with your child to give to the teacher; however, the most efficient option is to email Ms. Leon directly, as students sometimes forget to turn in the note until after the three-day period has passed. 

Excessive unexcused absences will result in a referral to the district attendance specialist and may result in a referral to truancy court and/or CPS. 

90% ATTENDANCE RULE

Per the state of Texas, students must be present in class on 90% of class meetings. “A student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12 shall not be given credit or a final grade for a class unless the student is in attendance 90 percent of the days the class is offered.  This restriction does not affect a student’s right to excused absences. … the student must be in attendance for at least 90% of the days a class is offered in order to gain credit or be promoted. All absences, excused and unexcused, are counted for the purpose of determining attendance for credit.”

EARLY PICK-UP FOR APPOINTMENTS

We encourage you to schedule your child’s doctor and dental appointments around school hours. If this is not possible, you must come to the main office to sign out your child in order for your child to be released. Your name must appear on the enrollment card or the birth certificate. 

If an emergency requires that your child be released to someone else, you must provide written notice. Students will not be released to anyone under the age of 18. Any adult picking up a student must present a picture ID. If your child is cleared by the doctor/dentist to return the same day to school, present the doctor/dental note upon return. Your child will not be marked absent. 

If you need to pick up your child early, there is no need to call ahead – students will remain in class until your arrival to campus. 

Students will not be checked out from class between 3:30-4:00. This is for safety purposes, as we are preparing for dismissal procedures at that time. Please be respectful of this and kind to the front office staff as they enforce this guideline. 

TARDY ARRIVALS - PK-6

Please make every effort to drop off your student on time. Learning begins at 8:30 a.m.! Students arriving after 8:30 are considered tardy and are missing out on valuable classroom activities. Students will receive a tardy pass prior to reporting to class. 

The Wakefield drive gate will be closed promptly at 8:30 a.m. Anyone arriving after this time will need to drop off tardy students in the front circle drive. Likewise, the Spark Park gates to campus will be locked at 8:30.

If the “Oops, you’re late” sign is out when you pull up, do not leave your student unsupervised and drive away. This is a huge safety concern. Please park and escort your child to the office. You will need to sign them in. 

TARDY ARRIVALS - MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle school tardies are considered a disciplinary infraction and may result in detention according to the policy below. Tardies will be tracked per 6 weeks. This applies to tardy arrival to first period as well as to other class periods throughout the day. (This will not apply to first period tardies if a parent signs the student in. However, the student will still be marked tardy; it will just not apply toward the count for detention.)

• 3 unexcused tardies - lunch detention
• 5 unexcused tardies - after-school detention

 

On June 20, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a ban on the use of personal communication devices by students during school hours in Texas.

Personal Communication Devices are any electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. This includes (but is not limited to):

. Cell phones, such as a smartphone or flip phone

· Tablet

. Smartwatch

. Smart glasses

· Paging device

· Headphones/Earbuds

HB1481 Overview Flyer - English.pdf

HB1481 Personal Device Regulation.pdf

HB1481 Personal Communication Device Student Parent Acknowledgement.pdf

HB1481 Frequently Asked Questions Spanish.pdf

1481 Personal Communication Device Student Parent Acknowledgement Spanish.pdf

HB1481 Overview Flyer Spanish.pdf

FAQ

Why is our school adopting a phone-free policy?

Texas House Bill 1481 requires school districts to create a phone-free policy. Constant access to phones has created significant distractions and disruptions across schools. Our

goal is to help students be fully present during the school day.

What is included in a "cell phone and personal electronic device"?

This includes, but is not limited to: cell phones, smart watches, tablets/iPads, wireless earbuds or headphones, laptops, or any device capable of messaging, calling, recording, or internet access.

When can students use their phones or personal devices?

Students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices at any point during the school day, including between classes, during lunch, and in non-instructional periods. Devices must remain turned off and put away (in lockers, backpacks, or designated storage areas). 

Is the school responsible if the phone is damaged?

No. Personal devices brought to school are at the owner’s risk; as in many Texas districts, our handbook states the district is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen telecommunications devices held due to policy violations.

What if my child needs their phone in case of a crisis or lockdown at school?

In a true emergency, HISD's emergency response plans are in place to protect students and keep families informed. During lockdowns, having hundreds of students using phones can spread false information, interfere with communication systems, and create safety risks. Our staff is trained to manage these situations, and we ask students to follow directions from trusted adults on campus.

How do I contact my student during the school day?

We want our students to be engaged in their learning; therefore, we ask that you refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is an emergency. Should you need to contact your student, please call the school's front office.

What if my child needs to contact me during the school day?

Students may ask to use a school phone in the front office, counselor’s office, or another supervised area. Non-urgent communication should wait until after school. 

DRESS CODE/UNIFORM

• Tops: Collared polo-style shirts in any solid color. Students may also wear Garden Oaks t-shirts made by PTO and Friends of Montessori t-shirts. All shirts must be full-length (i.e., not cropped or cut short).
• Bottoms: Uniform-style pants (can be typical khaki color or navy blue) or blue jeans without holes/rips/tears. Jeans cannot be faded, distressed, acid-washed, etc. Shorts, skirts, uniform jumpers, and dresses (also khaki/dark blue or non-distressed denim without holes/rips/tears) must be no more than 3 finger-widths above the kneecap.
• Jackets/sweaters: In the classroom these must be solid-colored (no messages or logos). Hoodies may not be worn inside the building. 
• Shoes: All students must wear close-toed shoes designed for play! We have recess daily and PE throughout the week. No cowboy boots, sandals, Crocs, or high heels.
• Hats and hoods: Students may not wear hats and hoods inside the building. Hats are permissible outside only. (Headwear worn for religious or medical reasons is acceptable but must be communicated to the administration in advance.)
• Outerwear: Students can wear hoods or hats outside, including hooded jackets or raincoats, and outerwear should be removed upon entering the classroom. Outerwear should not feature any imagery that is not school-appropriate (e.g., weapons, drugs, etc.), subject to administrative discretion. 
• Free Dress – Occasionally, free dress days or spirit days will be designated. Any article of clothing that displays alcohol, drug slogans, or other suggestive and inappropriate designs or words including, but not limited to, those that promote (suggest) violence or anti-social behavior will not be allowed.

Plan to support your child in adhering to the campus policy. If your child arrives to school out of uniform, we will try to provide a change of clothes from the nurse. If no spare clothing is available, you will be called to come to the school with a change of clothes. Please arrive within the hour as your child will be waiting for you in the front office. 

If this uniform in any way poses an economic hardship for you, please contact Ms. Martha Staples (school counselor). We have support–including free uniforms–available! 

Consequences for dress code violations: 

• First Offense – Verbal warning
• After first offense – 1 day lunch detention
• 5+ offenses - Further disciplinary action for persistent disregard of campus policy will apply per HISD Code of Student Conduct.