ABSENCE, TARDIES, APPOINTMENTS

Absences

When a student is absent, the student misses out on teacher directed lessons and group work that cannot be duplicated. Therefore, attendance at school is imperative for the interest of the child’s education. Absences can result in grades falling and excessive absences can result in a student not being promoted to the next grade level. Fifteen or more absences in one school year are considered excessive.

According to California State law, a student returning to school after an absence must have a written excuse from the parent/guardian at the beginning of the next school day. If a student returns to school without a note, they will be sent to the office to make a call to remind the parent to send a note the next day. On the third day of being absent the child must bring a doctor’s note. A parent can write a note on regular paper as long as it is dated and signed and explains the reason for the absence. No notes will be accepted by fax or email.

Long-term absences to go on family vacations or business are greatly discouraged and can affect grades and promotion. If a long-term absence is absolutely necessary, arrangements should be made with the individual teachers to schedule the make-up work. Individual teachers will determine what and how make-up work can be completed and how credit and grades will be determined. Tests are to be taken within two days of returning to school and will not be given more than once. It is the responsibility of the student to study and complete all missing work by the deadline determined by each teacher. The principal will contact the attendance department of the local public school concerning cases of truancy and the local public Child Welfare authorities.

Appointments

We highly recommend that all medical appointments or other disruptions to the day be set up after school or on days off. If an appointment is absolutely necessary, the teacher must be informed with a written note the morning of the appointment. Parents must go to the office to sign out the child and must wait at the office for the child. In order to avoid interruption to the rest of the class, parents may not go directly to the room to get the child. If a parent authorizes someone else to pick up his/her child, the school must be notified in writing of the authorization before the child is taken from school. It is important for the child to bring a note from his/her doctor or dentist when he/she returns to school.

Tardies

Students entering the classroom late cause interruptions to the other students and the teacher who has already begun teaching. It also affects the education and the tone of the day for the child that is late. For these reasons, we will enforce the following tardy policy. If a student is not in the room by 8:00am, they are considered tardy. Students that are tardy will need to go directly to the office to get a late slip before they are admitted back to class. If a student goes to class without getting a late slip, the student will be sent back to the office for the slip in order to be admitted to class.

Five tardies per quarter (10 weeks) are considered excessive and a meeting with the teacher will be required to remedy the problem. If the situation continues and the student is tardy two more times in the same quarter, a fee of $25 will be added to your tuition and a meeting with the principal or vice principal will be necessary and the student will be placed on contract. 

Truancy

An absence from school without an acceptable excuse is considered truancy. In the event that the school suspects that a student is truant the school will contact the parent or guardian. If the issue continues the Principal shall contact the authorities to report the truancy problem.

Contracts for Absences and Tardies

Students with excessive tardies will need documentation, or with excessive absences will need a doctor’s note to explain the reason for missing classes. Without such documentation, the student will be placed on contract and a plan will be set in place to remedy the situation. Being on contract will result in loss of extracurricular programs, potential summer school to make up days, and/or no promotion for next grade level.

Make-Up Work Policy for Absences and Tardies

Policies and procedures for make-up work will be determined by each teacher and will be given out at Back to School Night with all other classroom policies and procedures. It is the responsibility of the student to study and complete all work by the deadline determined by each teacher.