Study CommonsRead · reason · practise

English / Everyday English

Everyday English · School office, attendance, forms and family communication

School Office & Forms: 18 Everyday English Words

Learn practical English for the school office: forms, signatures, absences, lateness, parent contacts, pickup and common administrative requests.

Suggested Grades 3–518 everyday words8 light-review questions
Learning objectiveRecognize common school-office words well enough to understand ordinary forms, absence messages, pickup instructions and front-desk conversations.

What to do

School offices use short practical words again and again: form, sign, absence, late, note, pick up and emergency contact. Learning them as one scene makes school communication easier to understand.

Start with the 18 Public words. The Family list expands the same scene to 60 words covering attendance, registration, visitors, records and meetings.

Core everyday words

school office

noun · SKOOL AW-fis

the office where school staff handle attendance, records and everyday student needs

Example: Please take this form to the school office.

office

noun · AW-fis

a room where administrative work is done

Example: The office opens before class.

secretary

noun · SEK-ri-tair-ee

a staff member who helps manage calls, forms and office tasks

Example: The secretary answered the phone.

principal

noun · PRIN-si-pul

the person who leads a school

Example: The principal spoke at the assembly.

form

noun · form

a paper or online document with spaces for information

Example: Please complete this form.

permission slip

noun · per-MISH-un slip

a form that gives permission for a school activity

Example: I returned the permission slip.

sign

verb · syne

to write your name to show agreement or approval

Example: Please sign at the bottom.

signature

noun · SIG-nuh-cher

a person's written name used to approve or confirm something

Example: The form needs a parent signature.

absence

noun · AB-suns

a time when someone is not at school or another expected place

Example: The office recorded her absence.

absent

adjective · AB-sunt

not present where someone is expected to be

Example: He was absent on Monday.

late

adjective · layt

arriving after the expected time

Example: We were late for school.

reason

noun · REE-zun

an explanation for why something happened

Example: Please give the reason for the absence.

phone number

noun · FOHN NUM-ber

the number used to call a person or place

Example: Write your phone number here.

emergency contact

noun · ee-MER-jun-see KON-takt

a person the school can contact in an urgent situation

Example: Her aunt is the emergency contact.

pick up

verb phrase · PIK up

to collect someone from a place

Example: I will pick you up at noon.

drop off

verb phrase · DROP off

to bring someone to a place and leave them there

Example: Dad will drop me off at school.

appointment

noun · uh-POINT-munt

a planned time to meet someone or receive a service

Example: I have a dentist appointment this afternoon.

note

noun · noht

a short written message

Example: My parent sent a note to the teacher.

Quick Check

Quick Check

Recognize core people, forms and attendance words.

Multiple choice

1. Which word means a paper or online document with spaces for information?

  1. form
  2. bell
  3. grade
  4. office
Multiple choice

2. Which word describes a student who is not at school today?

  1. absent
  2. present
  3. signed
  4. late
Multiple choice

3. What written name may be required at the bottom of a permission slip?

  1. signature
  2. reason
  3. schedule
  4. appointment
Multiple choice

4. Who leads the school?

  1. principal
  2. visitor
  3. student
  4. secretary

In the Scene

In the Scene

Use the core words in realistic school-office situations.

Multiple choice

5. Your child will not be at school today. Which noun best describes this?

  1. absence
  2. signature
  3. office
  4. pickup
Multiple choice

6. The office says, 'Please ___ this form and send it back.'

  1. sign
  2. drop off
  3. reason
  4. late
Multiple choice

7. You arrive at noon to collect your child. Which phrase fits?

  1. pick up
  2. drop off
  3. fill out
  4. check in
Multiple choice

8. The school needs a person to call urgently. What information is this?

  1. emergency contact
  2. homeroom
  3. report card
  4. deadline

Quick-check answers

  1. 1. form
    A form collects required information.
  2. 2. absent
    Absent is the adjective for not being present.
  3. 3. signature
    A signature is the written name used to approve or confirm.
  4. 4. principal
    The principal leads the school.
  5. 5. absence
    An absence is a period of not being present.
  6. 6. sign
    Sign means write your name to approve or confirm.
  7. 7. pick up
    Pick up means collect someone from a place.
  8. 8. emergency contact
    An emergency contact is used when urgent communication is needed.

Keep building everyday knowledge

Library & Books: 18 Everyday English WordsSports Practice & Team: 18 Everyday English Words