Communicating absences to teachers shows responsibility and helps you stay on track academically. Whether planned or unexpected, telling teachers professionally about missed classes maintains good relationships and ensures you know what you missed.
Subject Line: "Upcoming Absence - [Date] - [Your Name]"
Email Body:
Dear Ms. Rodriguez,
I wanted to let you know that I will be absent from class on Thursday, March 15th due to a college visit. I plan to get notes from a classmate and complete any homework assigned.
Could you please let me know if there will be any major assignments or tests that day so I can prepare accordingly?
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards, [Your Name] [Class Period]
Subject Line: "Absent Today - [Your Name] - [Class Name]"
Email Body:
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I'm writing to let you know I'm absent from class today due to illness. I will get notes from a classmate and complete any homework assigned.
Could you please let me know what I missed and any assignments I need to complete?
I plan to return to class tomorrow.
Thank you, [Your Name] [Class Period]
Subject Line: "Extended Absence - [Your Name]"
Email Body:
Dear Mrs. Johnson,
I wanted to inform you that I will be absent from class for the next few days (Monday-Wednesday) due to illness. I will work on staying current with assignments and would appreciate knowing what work I should prioritize.
Would it be possible to email me key assignments or have the work available to pick up from the main office?
Thank you for your patience.
Best regards, [Your Name]
Always Include:
Don't Include:
Appropriate Reasons:
Too Much Detail: Avoid graphic descriptions of illness or overly personal family information.
Planned Absences: Notify teachers at least one week in advance when possible.
Unplanned Absences: Email as soon as possible on the day of absence.
Extended Absences: Update teachers every 2-3 days if absence extends beyond initially reported timeline.
First Day Back:
In person: "Hi Mr. Garcia, I wanted to check what I missed while I was out."
Email: "I'm back in school today and wanted to confirm I have all the makeup work. Could you let me know if there's anything else I should complete?"
Your Responsibilities:
Teacher's Responsibilities:
Subject Line: "Planned Absence for [Activity] - [Date]"
Email:
Dear Ms. Lee,
I wanted to let you know that I will miss class on Friday, April 12th because I'm participating in the regional debate tournament representing our school.
I will get notes from a classmate and complete any homework before I leave. Could you please let me know if there will be any quizzes or major assignments that day?
Thank you, [Your Name]
School activities usually have excused absence policies, but still communicate professionally.
If you have chronic health issues or ongoing commitments:
Email Example:
Dear Mr. Anderson,
I wanted to discuss my attendance situation. Due to ongoing medical treatments, I may need to miss class periodically throughout the semester. I'm committed to staying current with coursework and would like to create a plan to ensure I don't fall behind.
Could we schedule a time to discuss the best approach for managing my absences and assignments?
Thank you for your understanding.
[Your Name]
Consider involving school counselor and parents in these conversations.
Many schools excuse college visits. Still notify teachers:
Email: "I'll be visiting Stanford University on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I'll complete all homework in advance and get notes from classmates. Please let me know about any quizzes or tests those days."
Avoid:
Teachers appreciate students who:
Next Day in Person: "I apologize for not letting you know in advance about my absence yesterday. I was ill but should have emailed. What did I miss?"
Taking responsibility goes a long way.
Staying on top of schoolwork during absences requires strong organizational skills and time management. At LifeWorks, we help students develop strategies for managing academic responsibilities even when life gets complicated. We also provide tutoring support to help students catch up after absences. Get in touch to learn how we can help.
Do I need to email every teacher for every absence?
Yes, especially for planned absences or classes with attendance policies. Some schools have systems where one notification goes to all teachers, but emailing individually shows extra consideration.
Should I email before or after the absence?
Before, whenever possible. For planned absences, notify at least a week ahead. For sick days, email as early as possible on the day of absence.
What if my teacher doesn't respond to my email?
Follow up in person when you return. Some teachers receive hundreds of emails and may miss yours. Don't assume they got it without confirmation.
Can I text my teacher about my absence?
Only if your school or teacher has specifically said texting is acceptable. Email is more professional and creates a record.
How much makeup work should I expect?
Typically, you're responsible for all classwork, homework, and assessments from missed days. Teachers should give reasonable time to complete it (often one day for each day missed).
What if I have an unexcused absence?
Still communicate professionally. Even if absence isn't excused by school policy, maintaining good relationships with teachers matters for your academic success.
