Attendance

SAN LEANDRO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

Attendance is very important for student’s success in school. In California most students attend school only 180 days a year, so every day is important. Irregular attendance is one of the most major constraints in maintaining a quality educational program for students. There is no more important variable than the time spent on task in the classroom under the guidance of a professional educator. Attendance is taken every day in every class period. When students return to school after being absent, they must bring a note to the Attendance Office, written and signed by the parent/ legal guardian, stating the date(s) and the reason for the absence. Parents/legal guardians may also call the school and verify the dates and the reason for the absence. Students who do not have parents who call or bring notes within two (2) school days are considered truant if it is not cleared by the third day. The following methods may be used to verify student absences:

1. A written notice from parent/legal guardian or parent representative. Students who are 18 years or older may provide their own excuses for absences.

2. Conversation, in person or by telephone, between the verifying employee and the student’s parent/legal guardian or parent representative. The employee shall record the following:

a. Name of Student

b. Name of parent/legal guardian or parent representative

c. Name of verifying employee

d. Date(s) of absence(s)

e. Reason for absence

Whole day and period absences not cleared within 48 hours (2) days) will be recorded as truancies and/or unexcused on the third day and cannot be cleared after that time. It is the student and parent’s responsibility to see that these absences are cleared. Truancy is any unexcused absence or Very Late/Cut of 30 minutes or more that remains un-cleared for 72 hours (three (3) days). Truant/unexcused students may be assigned to Saturday School and could be subject to other disciplinary action. Chronic truants are students who have missed 10% or more of days in one school year. The absences are excessive and could be a combination of both excused and unexcused.

Attending school between the ages of 6 and 18 is not only a basic right for every person, but also a legal obligation. By law, parents are responsible for their children being in school every day during the school year. Compulsory school attendance laws provide all students of certain ages with the benefits of regular schooling, with certain expectations. Although Kindergarten attendance cannot be counted toward truancy, it is really important that we plant the seed early with students and parents/legal guardians that kindergarteners are expected to attend every day.

It is important for parents to inform the school whenever their child is absent. However, under the law, an absence is considered "excused" only for the following reasons:

1.Illness:A student is too ill to attend school if he/she has a contagious condition, a temperature of over 100 degrees, symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, or written orders from a doctor to stay at home. If a child is ill three or more days, the school may require a note from a physician documenting the student’s illness and the necessity of having the student stay at home.

2.Health Quarantine

3.Medical Appointment or Services

4.Attending the Funeral of an Immediate Family Member:Three days are allowed for out-of-state funerals, otherwise one day is allowed.

5.Jury Duty

6.Illness or Medical Appointment of the Student’s Child

7.Justifiable Personal Reasons such as:

Court appearances

 Observation of a religious holiday or ceremony

 Religious instruction release time (Education Code 46010-46014). The student shall be excused for no more than four hour school days per month

 Attendance at religious retreats for not more than four hours during a semester

 Attendance at an employment conference

Absences for most other reasons areconsidered unexcused, even if the parent notifies the school.For some allowed absences, the parent or guardian must request the absence in advance in writing, and the principal must approve it.

A student absent for reasons allowed by law may complete missed assignments or tests that can reasonably be provided and will not have his/her grade reduced or lose academic credit if the assignments or tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time.

If a student is out of school for five consecutive days and no longer than 20 school days for an unexcused reason (e.g. vacation, personal/family related), parents should contact the school, at least 48 hours in advance, about arranging Independent Study. A school-approved Independent Study Contract is an educational alternative and is recorded as a valid absence.

By law, a student may be excused from school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical information without the consent of the student’s parent or legal guardian. Otherwise, it is the practice of the San Leandro Unified School District not to release students without parental consent.

If you know that your student will be absent, contact the teacher or principal in advance for assistance. Student who is unable to attend school due to serious injury or illness may be eligible for instruction at home or in a medical facility.

Students who are unable to attend school due to serious injury or illness, for a period of ten (10) days or more, may be provided with home instruction. A physician must verify the student’s condition. Students with mental health conditions must present authorization from a physician and treatment program from their therapist.

State law defines a truant as a student who has 3 unexcused absences, 3 unverified absences, 3 very late tardies, early pick-up, or unexcused partial day absences/cuts (30 minutes or more), or any combination thereof during the school year.

The law requires written notices for excessive absences. Correspondingly, parents may receive an Irregular Attendance letter. Furthermore, parents will receive a truancy letter if their student has three (3) unexcused absences, three (3) unverified absences, three (3) very late tardies, early pick-up, or unexcused partial day absences/cuts (30 minutes or more), 5 tardies or any combination thereof during the school year. A second letter will be sent if the student accumulated four (4) unverified absences , four (4) unexcused absences or four (4) very late tardies, early pick-up, or unexcused partial day absences/cuts (30 minutes or more), 6-10 tardies or any combination thereof. With the second letter the school will schedule a SART (School Attendance Review Team) meeting informing the parent/ legal guardian of a meeting at the school to address the truancy issues of the student. A SART contract will be drawn up and agreed upon by the school, parent and student to confront the student’s truancy. Failure to attend the meeting or comply with the contract will result in a referral to SARB.

After a SART contract has been signed and the student has one (1) more unexcused absence, one (1) more unverified, one (1) more very late tardy, early pick up/ cut (30 minutes or more), 1 more tardy or any combination thereof, a third letter will be sent to the parents/legal guardian advising of the referral to the SARB. The principal of the school or designee may attend the hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the student’s attendance and develop a plan for the student’s regular participation in an educational program. Once a SARB contract is signed, it is valid for the remainder of the school year. School sites and district office staff will continue to monitor, encourage, and assist families in improving their attendance.

If a student’s school attendance does not improve after a SARB hearing, or if the parent/ legal guardian fail to attend a required SARB hearing, the parent/legal guardian and the student will be referred to the Alameda County District Attorney for prosecution through the court system. Here the student and parent/legal guardian will be ordered to attend a mediation hearing with representatives from the Probation Department and the District Attorney’s Office. Families are usually assigned 1 year of probation. During this time, school sites and district office staff will be asked to monitor attendance and provide periodic updates to the District Attorney of the student’s progress