Sometimes, students may fall ill and miss school for a few days. In such cases, it is important to write an excuse letter to inform the school about the reason for the absence and the expected date of return. An excuse letter is a formal document that shows respect for the school authorities and helps them keep track of the student’s attendance and academic progress.
In this article, we will explain how to write an effective excuse letter for a sick student and provide some downloadable samples that you can use as templates.
How to Write an Excuse Letter
Here are the steps on how to make a good excuse letter if your son or daughter is sick and cannot attend classes:
- Start with the date and the salutation. Address the letter to the principal, teacher, or whoever is in charge of attendance.
- Explain the reason for the absence and the duration. Be specific and honest about the illness and the symptoms. Mention the doctor’s diagnosis and prescription, if applicable.
- Express your concern for your child’s education and apologize for any inconvenience the absence may have caused. Request any missed assignments or homework that your child can complete at home.
- End with a complimentary close and your signature. Include your name, contact number, and email address for further communication.
- Proofread and edit your letter for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Make sure it is clear, concise, and polite.
- Send or deliver your letter as soon as possible, preferably before or on the first day of absence. You can also attach a doctor’s note or certificate if required by school policy.
Excuse Letter Samples
To help you write your own excuse letter for a sick student, we have compiled some samples that you can use as references or templates. These samples cover different scenarios, such as fever, flu, chickenpox, and stomach aches. You can download and print these samples for free, or modify them according to your needs. Just remember to fill in the blanks with the relevant information, such as the name of the student, his or her preferred pronouns, the date of absence, and the name of the school.
Sample 1: Absent due to fever or flu
[Date]
[Teacher or Principal’s name]
[School name]
[School Address]
Dear [Recipient’s name],
I am writing to inform you that my [son][daughter], [Name of Student], will not be able to attend [his][her] classes today, [date], due to a high fever. [He][She] started feeling unwell yesterday evening, and [his][her] temperature rose to 39°C this morning. I took [him][her] to the doctor, and [he][she] was diagnosed with a viral infection. He was prescribed some medication and advised to rest at home for at least two days.
I apologize for any inconvenience caused by [his][her] absence, and I hope you will understand [his][her] situation. I am concerned about [his][her] education, and I would appreciate it if you could send me any assignments or homework that [he][she] can do at home. I will also make sure that [he][she] studies the lessons that [he][she] missed and prepares for any quizzes or tests that [he][she] may have.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Sample 2: Absent due to stomach ache
[Date]
[Teacher or Principal’s name]
[School name]
[School Address]
Dear [Recipient’s name],
I am writing to inform you that my [daughter][son], [Name of the student], will not be able to attend [her][his] classes today, [Date], due to a severe stomach ache. [She][He] woke up this morning with a lot of pain and nausea. I took [her][him] to the doctor and he said that [she][he] might have food poisoning. He gave [her][him] some medication and advised [her][him] to stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids.
I regret any trouble caused by [her][him] absence and I kindly ask for your understanding of [her][him] situation. I care about [her][his] education and I would be grateful if you could provide me any assignments or homework that [she][he] can work on at home. I will also ensure that [she][he] catches up on the lessons that [she][he] skipped and gets ready for any quizzes or tests that [she][he] may have. If possible, I would also like to request some remedial classes or lessons for [her][him] when [she][he] returns to school.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Sample 3: If the student has sore eyes
[Date]
[Teacher or Principal’s name]
[School name]
[School Address]
Dear [Recipient’s name],
I am writing to inform you that I, [Student’s Name], will not be able to attend my classes today, September 5, 2023, due to sore eyes (conjunctivitis). I noticed some redness and itching in my eyes yesterday and I went to the doctor. He confirmed that I had conjunctivitis and he prescribed me some eye drops and antibiotics. He also told me to avoid contact with other people as much as possible because conjunctivitis is contagious.
I apologize for any inconvenience caused by my absence and I hope you will understand my situation. I am concerned about my education and I would appreciate it if you could send me any assignments or homework that I can do at home. I will also study the lessons that I missed and prepare for any quizzes or tests that I may have.
However, I have a problem. Today is supposed to be my day to report in class about our group project. I don’t want to let my group mates down and I don’t want to lose points for our project. Is there any way that I can still do my report without going to school? Maybe I can do it online via video call or send you a recorded presentation. Please let me know what you think and what I should do.
Thank you for your consideration and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [Your Number] or [your email].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
To Wrap it Up
Writing an excuse letter for a sick student is a simple and respectful way to inform the school of your child’s absence and request any academic assistance. You can send the excuse letter via email, but make sure you get a confirmation of receipt. A doctor’s note is not always required, but it can be useful for verification purposes. You can also use the same excuse letter for multiple days of absence, as long as you update the dates and details accordingly. However, if your child only misses one day of school, you may not need to write an excuse letter, but you should still notify the school of the absence to avoid any misunderstanding or trouble. If your child’s condition gets worse, you should inform the school as soon as possible and provide any relevant updates or information.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to write an effective excuse letter for a sick student, and we wish your child a speedy recovery.