ABSENCE
Consistent attendance is essential for a successful education. In accordance with the Archdiocese of Los Aneles, St. Maria Goretti Catholic School operates for 180 instructional days each year. California state law and the standards set by our accreditation organization mandate that all school-age children attend school for the full duration of the academic year. Additionally, student attendance records are submitted to secondary educational institutions as part of the application and admission process.
Please know that students are missed when absent. Parents are asked to do all that they can to ensure a high attendance rate:
- Minimum Attendance Requirements: Students are expected to attend school every day it is in session. Absences are only excused in cases of illness or family emergencies.
- Excessive Absences: Missing more than 10 days per trimester or 30 days in a school year is considered excessive and may result in retention.
- Vacations and Extended Trips: Families are strongly discouraged from scheduling vacations or extended weekend trips during the school year. The school calendar should be used to plan vacations during scheduled breaks.
- Make-Up Work: Classwork will not be provided in advance for vacations or trips. Students with notebooks may access assignments through Google Classroom, though not all assignments are guaranteed to be posted. It is the responsibility of both students and parents to ensure all missed work is completed upon returning to school.
ABSENCE.
Regular attendance is compulsory. Parents must notify the school of a student's absence by calling the school office at (562) 425-5112 or emailing the office by 9:00 AM on the day of the absence. Upon returning, the student must provide a written excuse stating the reason for the absence, signed by a parent, even if prior notification was given. Students absent from school may not participate in after-school sports or activities on the day of the absence.
Students will have the same number of days they were absent to complete and submit any missed assignments. For example, if a student is absent for one day, they will have one day to complete all missed work. Students absent for non-illness reasons (such as appointments) are encouraged to check Google Classroom for assignments and complete them if possible. Classroom teachers may adjust this policy as needed to support the student's learning.
When a child is absent for an extended time (fifteen (15) days or more during a quarter), official grades may be withheld. This decision is left to the judgment of the principal in consultation with the teacher. Except in cases of emergency, children should not be taken out of school for vacation on days when we are in session.
MAKE-UP WORK AND HOMEWORK POLICY
All missed work due to absence must be completed. It is the student's responsibility to make up any missed assignments, including classwork, homework, and tests. For each day absent, the student will have the same number of days to complete the missed work. Any work or quizzes assigned before the absence must still be submitted by the original due date unless prior arrangements are made with the teacher. Make-up tests should generally be completed within one week of the absence. Missed assignments will be available upon the student's return to school.
Vacations and day trips are not considered valid reasons for absence. The administration and faculty strongly discourage these types of absences due to the disruption in the learning process. Students are expected to complete all assignments and adhere to deadlines.
We understand that some students may require additional time to complete their work. If there are any concerns, parents and students should communicate directly with the classroom teacher. Completing and submitting homework is an essential academic responsibility. Students who fail to turn in homework will receive no credit and will have one additional day to submit it for reduced credit.
Parental support in homework completion is crucial for academic success. Repeated failure to submit
