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How to Report an Absence

Home-to-school communication that qualifies for excused absence status must meet one of the Valid Causes for Absence and come in one of the following forms:

E-Absence

Excuse an absence through Parent Portal. Full Day Absences Only

Online Form

Submit an absence note directly to the attendance office via the Google Form.

Written Note

Download the note or pick up a hard copy in the main office. Sign and return within two weeks.

Phone Call

Call the attendance office
(773-534-5410) before 9:30am with the student’s name, ID#, and reason.

CPS recognizes six reasons for an absence to be considered excused:
  1. Student illness, including mental or behavioral health (up to five days).
  2. Observance of a religious holiday (absence note required).
  3. Death in the immediate family.
  4. Family emergency.
  5. Sounding taps at a military funeral.
  6. Parent/Guardian active duty deployment status.
Additional considerations:
  • Safety concerns approved by the principal.
  • Other situations beyond student control (principal determined).
  • Inform school if a physician diagnoses a contagious disease (e.g., chicken pox).
  • Keep health examinations and immunizations up-to-date to avoid missed school.
CPS offers resources including Hazel Health for free online therapy. Visit the Mental Health page to learn more.

How to Use E-Absence

E-Absence allows parents and guardians to submit, schedule, and track absences through the Aspen Parent Portal at Aspen.cps.edu.

To access Parent Portal, you must:

  • Be listed as a contact in the Student Information System.
  • Have a valid email in records.
  • Submit the validation code sent via email.

E-Absence FAQ

Yes. Navigate to each student’s profile within the Parent Portal to submit individual requests.

Yes, via the full site view of Parent Portal at aspen.cps.edu on the front page.

Approved requests stop robocalls. You will receive a call if the request is denied or canceled.

Yes, using the full site view of Parent Portal.

From the start of the school year up to 15 days in the future.

Please allow 24 hours for the Attendance Coordinator/Clerk to review your request.

Yes, for high school students using the full site view of Parent Portal.