It is very important for a student to attend the classes regularly in order to achieve high-quality academic excellence. Similarly, a teacher is also required to take classes regularly.

The absenteeism of the student and the teacher is always discouraged in almost every school. Many schools have different approaches to deal with people who stay absent from school.

In general, everyone has to face foreseen and unforeseen circumstances in life. Practically, it is not possible for an individual to keep the attendance 100%. If you are ill or facing any other problem due to which you cannot come to school, you should communicate your reason for not attending the school.

The best way to communicate is to write an excuse letter. This letter is written to let the reader know that you are absent because of a genuine reason. However, it should be kept in mind that this letter may not work for those people who show habitual absenteeism.

If you are the one who has a genuine reason for being absent, you can write an excuse letter to the principal from being absent from the school. The parents of the child can also write an excuse letter.

Tips for writing an excuse letter for being absent:

These are the tips that you can follow in order to write an effective excuse letter

1. Keep the tone of the letter formal and be polite while writing the letter
2. The excuse letter must provide a reason for being absent. This is the most basic reason to write the excuse letter.
3. Try to explain the situation with honesty. The reader should be able to understand your reason for being absent. So be clear and straight while writing an excuse letter
4. Include your details in the letter such as name, class name, section name, roll number, etc. so that you can be identified easily.
5. Keep the letter short by avoiding unnecessary details.
6. In case of illness, a medical certificate or doctor’s note should be attached to the letter.

Sample Letters

[Travel]

1-

Respected Principal,

I am writing to inform you that our daughter Elaine, who is a student of grade 2 in your school, shall not be able to attend school next week. We will be traveling to France for a week owing to a family event, therefore kindly excuse Elaine from [date] to [date].

We would appreciate it if you can share next week’s study plan so we can cover the course as soon as we return.

Sincerely,

2-

I want to tell you that my son could not attend school for the last three days from [date] to [date]. We were on the visit to a hill station and spent most of the time in traveling from one place to the other. I request you to kindly excuse him for being absent as we could not leave him all alone at home. Kindly attach the missing work in his notebook so that I can make him do it in a short time to come up with the class. I will make sure it won’t happen again and we will always schedule our traveling in the summer holidays.

Thanking you in anticipation!

[Family matters]

1-

Dear Principal,

This is to inform you that our daughter Sarah, studying in grade 7, will be unable to attend school from Wednesday through Friday due to some family matters that require attention. She will be back in the routine from next Monday.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Regards,

2-

It is to inform you that my daughter was unable to attend school for a week from [date] to [date] as we were out of the station for family meet up. My daughter had never met all the members of the expanded family & her father wanted to introduce her to everybody. He wanted her to learn things in a different way as well. I am sorry for not having refused for this trip as I am afraid that it affected her studies badly. I will make sure that she covers all of her missing work within some days & cope up with the class as soon as possible.

Thank you for your consideration!

[Stomach ache]

Dear Principal,

I am writing to explain that my son Martin studying at your school in grade 3 was unable to attend school today. Since yesterday evening he has been complaining of stomach ache. I have taken him to the doctor for medicine and hopefully, he will be better soon.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

[Vomiting]

Dear Principal,

My child Vincent studies in grade 2 at your school. I am writing to inform you that he is sick and has been vomiting since the early morning. This is why he was unable to attend school today. Please allow him to leave for 2 days (today and tomorrow).

I look forward to your cooperation.

Sincerely,

[Diarrhea]

Dear Principal,

My daughter Martha studies in grade 6 at your school. Since yesterday afternoon she is suffering from acute diarrhea. Due to this infection, she is feeling weak. Please allow her 3 days of leave from school so she can recuperate.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

[a Headache]

Dear Principal,

My son Harry was unable to come to school today. He complained of a severe headache in the morning, so I decided to let him rest for a while. He shall be back to school from tomorrow.

Sincerely,

[Asthma]

1-

Dear Principal,

My son Aaron will be unable to attend school today. He suffers from asthma and last night he had an asthma attack. We took him to the ER and the attack has subsided, he is not feeling well. Kindly excuse him for today. Hopefully, if he feels better, he will come to school tomorrow.

Sincerely,

2-

Please excuse my daughter for being absent from school yesterday on [date]. She was ready to come to school when suddenly she had a severe asthma attack that we had to take her to the hospital in no time. Doctors gave her the needed treatment and kept her under observation for the whole day. Despite her fluctuating health condition, I am sending her to school today as her exams are drawing near. It is a humble request to give her the missing work for yesterday and be considerate if she complaints about her bad state.

Thank you!

[Chicken pox]

Dear Principal,

My daughter Mariah has been complaining of itchy marks on her body. Upon taking her to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed her with chickenpox. In order to keep other children at school safe, we wish to keep her at home until she heals and the virus is not contagious anymore. Meanwhile, I would like to request if her teachers can send in worksheets and homework so Mariah may study at home.

I hope the school will cooperate.

[Family member’s illness]

Dear Principal,

My daughter Elizabeth studies at your school in grade 3. Unfortunately, her grandmother is extremely ill and we would like to spend some time with her. Her grandmother lives in Texas and we will be traveling there this weekend. Therefore, I am requesting for one week of leave for Elizabeth. I would appreciate it if the teachers can share what they will be teaching in the next week so that Elizabeth can cover up for her absence at school.

I look forward to your understanding.

Sincerely,

[Family emergency]

Dear Principal,

I am writing to inform you that my son Arnold who studies in grade 6 at your school will not be able to come to school for a couple of days. There has been a family emergency that required us to travel to New York.

I look forward to your cooperation.

Sincerely,