When your child cannot go to school, you may need to report the absence to the school. You may need to call the school, leave a voicemail, send an email, or use an online attendance system.
Knowing the right vocabulary can help you communicate clearly and confidently.
1. Important Vocabulary
Here is some useful vocabulary you can use when reporting your child’s absence.
absence
A situation when someone is not at school or work.
Example:
My child has an absence today because she is sick.
absent
Not at school, work, or another place where you are expected to be.
Example:
My son will be absent from school today.
report an absence
To tell the school that your child will not be attending.
Example:
I need to report my daughter’s absence today.
attend school
To go to school.
Example:
My child is not well enough to attend school today.
stay home
To remain at home instead of going somewhere.
Example:
He has a fever, so he needs to stay home today.
sick / ill
Not feeling well or having a health problem.
Example:
My daughter is sick today.
fever
When your body temperature is higher than normal.
Example:
My son has a fever, so he will stay home.
symptoms
Signs that someone may be sick.
Example:
She has cold symptoms, including a cough and a sore throat.
appointment
A planned meeting with a doctor, dentist, or other professional.
Example:
My child has a doctor’s appointment this morning.
medical appointment
An appointment with a doctor or other health professional.
Example:
He will be absent because he has a medical appointment.
return to school
To go back to school after being absent.
Example:
She plans to return to school tomorrow.
expected to return
Likely or planned to come back.
Example:
My child is expected to return to school on Monday.
keep someone home
To decide that someone should stay at home.
Example:
I am going to keep my daughter home today because she has a fever.
2. Common Reasons for an Absence
You can use these expressions when explaining why your child is not at school.
| Reason | Example |
|---|---|
| sick | My child is sick today. |
| fever | He has a fever. |
| cold | She has a bad cold. |
| cough | My son has a cough. |
| stomachache | My daughter has a stomachache. |
| doctor’s appointment | He has a doctor’s appointment. |
| dentist appointment | She has a dentist appointment. |
| family emergency | My child is absent because of a family emergency. |
| family reasons | She will be absent for family reasons. |
| religious holiday | My child will be absent because of a religious holiday. |
You do not always need to give detailed personal or medical information. A simple explanation may be enough.
Example:
My daughter is sick and will not be able to attend school today.
3. Useful Expressions for Calling the School
When you call the school, you can use these expressions:
Starting the call
- Hello, I’d like to report my child’s absence.
- I’m calling to let you know that my child will be absent today.
- I’d like to report an absence for my son.
- My daughter won’t be able to attend school today.
Giving information
- My child’s name is Maria Garcia.
- She is in Grade 3.
- Her teacher is Ms. Brown.
- She is sick today.
- She has a doctor’s appointment this morning.
- She needs to stay home today.
Giving information about returning
- She should be back tomorrow.
- He is expected to return on Monday.
- I’m not sure when he will return yet.
- I will contact the school if he needs to stay home longer.
Ending the call
- Thank you for your help.
- Thank you for letting me know.
- Have a good day.
4. Useful Expressions for Email
If you report an absence by email, you can write:
Subject: Student Absence – Maria Garcia
Hello,
I am writing to let you know that my daughter, Maria Garcia, will be absent from school today because she is sick.
She is expected to return tomorrow.
Thank you,
[Parent’s Name]
Keep the message short, clear, and polite.
5. Vocabulary: Present, Absent and Attendance
These words are often used when talking about school attendance.
present
At school.
Example:
Maria was present at school today.
absent
Not at school.
Example:
Maria was absent yesterday.
attendance
The record of whether students come to school.
Example:
The school takes attendance every morning.
attendance record
A record showing when a student attended or missed school.
Example:
The school keeps an attendance record for every student.
unexcused absence
An absence that the school does not accept as an approved reason.
Example:
The school contacted the parent about an unexcused absence.
excused absence
An absence that the school accepts as an approved reason.
Example:
The doctor’s appointment was recorded as an excused absence.
Canada Tip: Schools and school boards may have different rules about how parents should report absences. Check your child’s school website or ask the school office about its attendance procedure.
Practice
A. Choose the correct word
Choose from:
absent | attend | fever | appointment | attendance | return
- My daughter has a doctor’s __________ today.
- My son will be __________ from school today.
- He has a high __________.
- She cannot __________ school today because she is sick.
- I hope he can __________ to school tomorrow.
- The school takes __________ every morning.
B. Complete the sentences
Use the words below.
report an absence | stay home | sick | expected to return | medical appointment
- My child is __________ today.
- I need to __________.
- She needs to __________ and rest.
- My son has a __________ this afternoon.
- He is __________ to school tomorrow.
Speaking Practice
Imagine that your child is sick and cannot attend school.
Call the school office and give the following information:
- Your child’s name
- Your child’s grade
- The reason for the absence
- How long your child may be absent
- When you expect your child to return
Example
Hello. I’m calling to report my son’s absence. His name is Daniel Lee, and he is in Grade 4. He has a fever and needs to stay home today. He should be able to return to school tomorrow. Thank you.
Now practise saying your own message.
Quick Reference
| What you want to say | Useful expression |
|---|---|
| Tell the school about the absence | I’d like to report my child’s absence. |
| Say your child won’t come | My child will be absent today. |
| Give a reason | She is sick today. |
| Say your child has an appointment | He has a doctor’s appointment. |
| Say your child needs to stay home | She needs to stay home today. |
| Say when your child will return | He is expected to return tomorrow. |
| Say you don’t know yet | I’m not sure when he will return. |
| Say you will provide an update | I will contact the school if he needs to stay home longer. |
Remember
When reporting a child’s absence, you usually need to communicate three important things:
WHO is absent?
→ My daughter, Anna.
WHY is the child absent?
→ She is sick.
WHEN will the child return?
→ She should return tomorrow.
A simple message is often enough:
My daughter Anna will be absent today because she is sick. She is expected to return tomorrow.
