After 10 periods or 600 minutes, whichever comes first, of unexcused absence in one class for one semester the student is considered to be on attendance probation and at risk of receiving no credit for that class. Unexcused absences are at-home suspension, truancy and absences for which no verifiable reason has been given by the parent or guardian.
Parents will be notified of this policy at the beginning of each school year or upon the enrollment of the student. Parents will be sent notification by mail of the number of unexcused absences their student has in each class at the following times: first quarter progress report, first quarter report card, second quarter progress report, third quarter progress report, third quarter report card, fourth quarter progress report. Notification of unexcused absences may be sent more frequently than outlined above or at differing times due to school block schedules.
A separate notification, warning of the possibility of receiving no credit for a class, shall be sent at the time a student reaches five unexcused absences or 300 minutes of unexcused absence, whichever comes first, in any class period.
Parents may clear, by note or phone call, any non-suspension or non-truant absence during a period of time not to exceed five school days after the occurrence of the absence. After the five-day window of opportunity a doctor’s note indicating a diagnosis is required to clear an absence.
If a student is absent from school for a portion of the day for illness or a doctors visit, the parent or guardian must properly check the student out of school through the attendance office. If this procedure is not followed, the student’s period absences may be marked as unexcused.
Students may opt to attend Voluntary Saturday School (VSS) for a minimum of four hours to clear absences which have not been cleared by a verifiable excuse. After successfully attending VSS the student will have the option of clearing one all-day unexcused absence or two unexcused period absences. Parent permission is required for the student to attend voluntary Saturday school.
Students are encouraged to attend VSS to reduce unexcused absences before they have reached the 10-day limit. Students must clear 1st semester absences via VSS prior to the start of the 4th quarter. 2nd semester absences must be cleared via VSS prior to the start of the summer school session. After the conclusion of 2nd semester additional sessions of VSS will be offered as needed.
Students attending Regional Occupation Program (ROP) classes are held to different attendance requirements as required by state education code. The ROP program will clarify those requirements.
The Superintendent is directed to establish procedures to implement this policy. Annually, an evaluation of this policy shall be reported to the Board of Trustees.