Attendance Expectations

It is our belief that regular and punctual attendance at school is an absolute requirement for a successful education. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between good school attendance and student achievement, therefore, we encourage you as parents to reinforce the importance of good school attendance and to make every effort to send your child to school on a regular basis.

Every parent/guardian or other person having the responsibility of a student between the ages of six and eighteen, unless graduated or excluded, is required to send such student to school. School attendance is mandated by statute and by laws and regulations of the State. Failure of a parent or guardian to meet the obligation to compel the student to attend school may cause the parent to be subject to prosecution.

If a student is absent a parent should notify the school on the first day of the absence by phone during school hours or send a note with the student upon his/her return to school. The maximum amount of time allowed to clear an absence is three days. Medical and dental appointments should be scheduled after school hours when possible.

We urge parents to contact the office on the day of the child’s absence (or within 72 hours) at: (619) 656-6252 ext. 550110, 24 hours a day, or email: [email protected].

Excused Absences (BP & AR 5113)

Education Code Section 48205 permits a pupil to be excused from school under the following certain circumstances:

  • Illness
  • Health Related Absences
    • Medical
    • Dental
    • Optometry
    • Chiropractic Services
  • Quarantine
  • Funeral of an immediate family member

The following is considered “justifiable personal reasons” and must be requested in writing by the parent/guardian and approved by a school official:

  • Court appearance
  • Other funeral attendance
  • Religious holiday or ceremony
  • Religious retreats (must not exceed four hours a semester)
  • “Take Your Child to Work” Day (must not exceed two days in a school year)
  • Immigration appearances
  • Meeting a parent returning from deployment
  • Attendance at a sibling’s graduation (would also include excused tardies for a partial day absence)

Requests from an agency/parent for students participating in plays or movies. (Independent Study Contracts may be used if more than five consecutive days are missed.)

The following is considered “release time” pursuant to Education Code Section 46014: Participation in religious instruction or exercises (in accordance with District policy providing the student attends at least the minimum school day) not to exceed four school days in a school month.

Absences other than those listed above are unexcused.

A pupil absent from school under these circumstances shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can reasonably be provided, and, upon satisfactory completion within a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit. The teacher of the class from which a pupil is absent shall determine not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence.

Truancy Notification Procedure

All late arrivals over 30 minutes or early dismissals over 30 minutes (without doctor’s notes) and unexcused absences are considered truancies.

  • After three (3) truancies, parents will receive a First Notice of Truancy.
  • After five (5) truancies, parents will receive a Second Notice of Truancy.
  • After the Second Notice of Truancy, parents will receive a notice to come in and speak with the Principal regarding the truancies. Parents will also be asked to attend a Student Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting when students accumulate excessive tardies, absences, and early dismissals.
  • After (7) truancies parents will receive a Notice of Habitual Truancy and the student will be referred to the “Student Attendance Review Board” (SARB) at the district office.
    • Per California EC 48262, Habitual Truancy can be reported after three or more absences.

All student attendance contract violations are forwarded to the “Student Attendance Review Board” (SARB) at the district office.

We urge parents to contact the office on the day of the child’s absence (or within 72 hours) at: (619) 656-6252 ext. 550110, 24 hours a day, or email: [email protected].

Independent Study (IS) Contracts for Extended Absences

If your child will be absent five or more consecutive days (up to 14 days), please notify the health attendance clerk and classroom teacher at least one week prior to the absence. Students can only miss up to 14 days during one school year on an IS Contract. Independent study as a short-term voluntary instructional strategy to assist students in reaching curriculum objectives. Independent study entails a commitment by both the parent/guardian and the student. A principal or designee may or may not approve the independent study. Independent study shall be offered only to students who can be successful working independently and who do not have excessive unexcused absences. Assignments are due upon the student’s return to school. The required work will be verified either by the classroom teacher or the designated resource person.

Please follow these guidelines:

  • Pick-up the IS contract and instructions from the attendance office.
  • Contracts must have specific dates and be signed by all parties in advance.
  • Beginning and ending dates are firm (no extensions).
  • The assigned work cannot be done before or after the contract days.
  • Assigned work will only be provided the day before leaving.
  • All work must be returned to the teacher on the first day the student returns to school.
  • IS will not be retro activated after absences are completed without proper approval.

Attendance