If you are having trouble uploading notes in your FOCUS Parent Portal, make sure of the following: 

1. The phone app does not work when trying to upload notes. It is best to be done on a desktop or on the FOCUS site. (You can do this from your phone. Just open your browser and log into the FOCUS Portal that way.)

2. You must have completed the forms for the student. (Like all the forms we used to send home on the first day of school.) Until that is done, attendance notes can’t be uploaded.

3. There are step-by-step instructions on how to upload the notes under the Attendance Forms and policies section. Please make sure to reference those.

4. Students cannot upload notes through their Portal. It must be done through the Parent Portal.

If all that has been done and you still have problems, you can email/call (email preferred) the Help Desk. Please visit their website for help/tips. Contact the Help Desk at 487-7524 or FocusHelp@leonschools.net.

Students may not have four or more unexcused absences when making a pre-arranged absence request. The request will be denied.

Pre-arranged absence forms require pre-approval from the Administrator of Attendance submitted seven (7) school days PRIOR to the date of your planned absence.

Official college visits require documentation of the appointment and confirmation of the student’s attendance at the college tour/visit is required when the student returns. 

Submission of the pre-arranged absence form and/or the appropriate college visit documentation, after the deadlines outlined above, will result in the absences being finalized as unexcused.

Students who leave campus before the end of the day must be signed out by the approved adult through the attendance office. Signing out does not excuse the absence. 

Leaving campus without signing out is considered “skipping” and the absences are recorded as “unexcused”.  Students who do not return from lunch are considered “skipping”, and the absences are recorded as “unexcused”.

Students can only be signed out by a parent/legal guardian or those designated in Focus as an authorized pickup person, in person or by phone call from an authorized number.

When students arrive late to campus, students must sign in through the kiosk in the front office. The receipt provided at check-in is their pass to class. 

Parents/Guardians shall notify the school administration in writing as soon as they become aware of the possibility of excessive absenteeism due to illness.

Students who have multiple absences due to a physical or medical condition must provide medical documentation to document the absence(s). A template for documentation is provided under this web page. Once documentation is provided, excuse notes must still be submitted through the FOCUS portal to document any absence(s).

Students who have fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences in a 90 school days fails to satisfy attendance requirements. 

Students between the ages of fourteen (14) and eighteen (18) may become ineligible for driving privileges if they fail to satisfy attendance requirements. The School District shall notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles pursuant to State law. 

Students are considered tardy if they are not in their designated classroom when the bell rings. Tardies will not be excused for things like traffic, missing alarms, missing the bus, my parents drove me, or weather.

Tardiness due to parents, family, friends, self, or public transportation obstacles is not excused.  This includes missed rides and no shows (including public transportation), vehicle breakdowns, and oversleeping. Students are not relieved of tardy consequences due to at-fault situations of parents and others. These tardies are still unexcused. Chiles High School does offer bus transportation services for zoned students. Please reach out to the Transportation Department at 850.922.6701. Let us help you get your student to school on time!

College recruitment trips are to be scheduled when school is not in session. Administrative exception may be granted for a planned program scheduled for a specific day or if the student has a pre-planned appointment, with a specific college administrator, verified in writing.

Pre-Arranged Absence forms require pre-approval from the Administrator of Attendance submitted seven (7) schooldays PRIOR to the date of your planned absence.

Official college visits require a Pre-Arranged Absence form, documentation of the appointment and confirmation of the student’s attendance at the college tour/visit is required when the student returns. 

Students who have been absent and are excused are given the privilege of making up work. The length of time within which work may be made up shall be determined by the extent and nature of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to obtain and complete all makeup work.

This form must be completed and provided to the Attendance Office the first week of school. Absences submitted after this date will be considered unexcused.