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Attendance Policies

ABSENCES

Students are required by law to attend school punctually and regularly from six years to eighteen years. Student absences will be classified as follows:
1. Excused Absences: Absence for proper causes are listed in the State Educational Code for illness, medical, dental or optometrist appointments, court appointments and family emergencies.
2. Unexcused Absence: Absence which occurs with the knowledge and approval of parents or guardians but for reason which, though not acceptable under State Law, may be classified as parent violations not truancy.
3. Truancy: Absence which is an intentional and planned violation of State attendance laws.

RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ABSENCE

1. Students are required to bring a note from parents the day of return to school after an absence or a phone call should be made to the office on the first day of the absence. Per Board Policy No. 5113 “Any absence or unverified absence that is not verified within 10 school days following the absence(s) will be changed and recorded as a truancy.

2. All notes of absence should be given to the Attendance Clerk. The note must list the date(s) of absence, specific reason for absence, and signed by the parents or guardian.

3. In case of extended illness (three days or more), assignments may be requested by calling the office. Please allow one day for this material to be compiled.

4. A total of 5 absences is considered to be excessive. When a student reaches this limit, a note from a doctor will be required for each subsequent absence. The student and parent may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) for action. Additionally, the student may be assigned to Saturday School and/or may be placed in the After School Program.

TARDINESS AND TRUANCY
Any student who is frequently tardy to school without a satisfactory excuse may be regarded as habitually truant and a report on the student may be filed with the County Probation Department. If a police officer has a reason to believe a student who is not in school during school hours is truant, he/she may detain the student until the parent(s) and/or the school is notified. Any student who is truant or tardy three times may be assigned to Saturday School and may also be assigned to the After School Program. If 10 minutes late or more, the student may be required to report to the M.P.R. for special assignment in lieu of class disruption.

EXTENDED ABSENCE
If a student is going to be out of town, becomes ill, or cannot attend school for any extended time, please contact the school immediately.

REQUIRED ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF EDUCATION CODE
SECTIONS TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND STUDENTS
(In accordance with California Education Code Section 48980)

PARENT/GUARDIAN RIGHTS
STUDENT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
(Education Code 48982)

At the beginning of every school year, parents shall be informed of the following rights (Education Code 48982):

1) to visit their child’s classroom to observe activities. The time and date of the visitation must be arranged in advance with the school.
2) to request a conference with their child’s teacher(s) or the principal. Parents should contact the school to schedule a convenient date and time.
3) to volunteer their time and resources for the improvement of school facilities and programs. Parents should contact the school to determine the terms and conditions.
4) To be notified in a timely manner if their child is absent from school without permission.
5) To be notified of their child’s performance on standardized and statewide tests and the school’s ranking. (Under other state law, parents may request that their child not participate in the statewide tests.)
6) To request that their child be enrolled in any school in the district. The district is not compelled to grant the request.
7) To have a safe and supportive learning environment for their child.
8) To examine curriculum materials used in their child’s classes
9) To be informed of their child’s academic progress and appropriate school personnel to contact if they wish more information or assistance.
10) To access their child’s records and to question anything they feel is inaccurate or misleading or an invasion of privacy. Parents have the right to a timely response from the school district.
11) To receive information concerning expectations for student learning.
12) To receive written notification about school rules, policies, dress codes, and procedures for visiting the school.
13) To receive information about any psychological testing recommended for their child and to deny permission for such testing.
14) To participate as a member of parent advisory committees, school-site councils or site-based management leadership team in accordance with established rules for membership. Parents also have the right to attend meetings scheduled by the school to get information on school issues and activities.
15) To have the opportunity to work in a mutually supportive and respectful partnership to help their child succeed. The governing board shall adopt a jointly created policy that outlines how parents/guardians, school staff, and students may share the responsibility for the intellectual, physical, emotional, social development, and well being of their students. The emergency card provided by the school shall be signed by the parent or guardian and returned to the school. The signature is an acknowledgment by the parent or guardian that he/she has been informed of his/her rights but does not indicate that consent to participate in any particular program has either been given or withheld. (Education Code 48982) Specific State of California Education Code notification to parents is found in the following pages. Some sections have been paraphrased for your convenience. Explanations regarding any activity may be requested from the Principal of any school and the Director of Attendance and Welfare. All the activities described begin with the opening of school each year and continue throughout the school year. Separate special notification that your student is involved in any of the activities listed will be provided by the school Principal as individual students are involved. A letter specifying any objection you may have at this time to any activity listed, or to the participation of your student in any activity listed, should be sent to the Principal of the school that your student attends or to the Director of Attendance and Welfare.

14320 South Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650 • Tel: (562) 921-7981 - Fax: (562)-921-8114