School board policy allows personnel to excuse up to 10 days of absences based on a statement from the doctor's office in any form. After 10 days, however, the Russell County Schools Medical Excuse Form is required so that ongoing absences are documented in a standard format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Medical Excuse Form?
This form is required after (10) absent or tardy days have been marked as excused doctor.
Are all doctor’s note excused?
School Board Policy allows up to ten (10) days of absences to be excused based on any statement from the doctor’s office. After 10 days, the Russell County Schools Medical Excuse Form is required for on-going absences to be documented in a standard format.
Why is the Medical Excuse Form being required and how does it benefit the student?
The U.S. Department of Education along with numerous other agencies are working to reduce “chronic absenteeism”. Chronic absenteeism is when the student is missing 10% or more of a school year for any reason, excused or unexcused. The Medical Excuse Form alerts the medical provider(s) when a student is approaching chronic absenteeism and often sparks conversations between the medical provider and school personnel.
How can a conversation between a medical provider and school personnel help a child with frequent illness?
Often times, there are things that can be done at school to support the effort to keep a child healthy. Health Providers are uniquely positioned to address chronic absences. They are especially crucial allies for conveying the importance of avoiding unnecessary absences. They can use their knowledge to identify and develop solutions when health-related barriers are causing significant absences. For example, if a child has recurring urinary tract infections, a physician may recommend frequent restroom breaks for the individual. In other cases, a physician may request nebulizer treatments in the nurses’ office for a student with bronchitis or that a child with asthma uses his/her inhaler before going to the gym for physical exercise. A common request from parents and doctors is that a required medicine be given to a student during the school day. In rare cases, a medical doctor may recommend a Home/Hospital placement.
What is a Home/Hospital placement?
Due to the inability to attend the regular school setting of five or more consecutive days due to an acute or on-going illness, a physician may recommend the student be placed on Home/Hospital assignment. Home Instruction is a TEMPORARY placement and is not de-signed as a replacement program for regular school that will last a long period of time. If approved, a certified teacher would visit the student in the home setting for one-hour visits, twice weekly to bring classroom work and assist with any difficulty areas.
Why would the Department of Education include excused absences in its definition of chronic absenteeism?
There are legitimate reasons for why students must be absent from school. Kids get sick, or there may be a family emergency or other important reason for missing school. However, having a valid reason does not change the fact that the student’s learning suffers due to missing instructional time. When a student misses 10% or more of school for any reason, they miss valuable instruction from the teacher, incidental learning experiences in the classroom, and thought-provoking interaction with other students.
What happens if the Medical Excuse Form is not completed once ten (10) days have been marked doctor excused?
After ten (10) doctor’s statements, school personnel will request the use of the Medical Excuse Form. Subsequent absences will be recorded as unexcused absences until the completed form is received.
Medical Excuse Form
Click here to open and print the Medical Excuse Form.