Attendance
Attendance Information
ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
Parents of students between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age are obligated under California state law to send
their children to school. Regular school attendance is extremely important for every student. Good attendance
habits promote responsibility and allow students to gain the optimum benefit from daily classroom instruction.
Parents are an integral part in encouraging good attendance and supporting the educational program.
Absences can be minimized by scheduling medical, dental, and other appointments after school or when
school is not in session. Vacations should be planned around holidays.
ATTENDANCE PLAN 2024-2025
● Students and staff will participate in the following activities throughout the school year:
● Each day the class has 100% attendance, the teacher will color in a letter in “BISON ROCKS.” Once
complete that class turns the sheet into librarian for selection from the Menu Card.
● Each day the class has 100% attendance the teacher will display their “100% attendance” sign/flag
outside their door. Winners will be announced at Principal’s Live on Monday’s.
● The class in each grade level who has the highest attendance percentage for the week will get to keep
a traveling trophy in their classroom for the week. Winners will be announced at Principal’s Live on
Mondays.
● Students with positive attendance for the month will earn a front of the VIB (Very Important Bison) Line
Pass for lunch (1 time use - 5 punch card) Announced during spirit assemblies.
● Random Incentive Days school-wide.
● The certificated and classified staff member with the best attendance will receive a special visit from the
“Woot, Woot Wagon.” (special treats and music)
● Students with 100% attendance will have extra recess time or receive a glow party in November, March
and May.
● Students with outstanding attendance that reach 98% for the school year will earn additional incentives.
TARDY POLICY
Every minute counts! When students are late, they are missing instruction or instructional activities that could
lead to learning loss. In addition, when a student arrives to class late, it can be distracting to the other students
and the teacher. Therefore, students are responsible for being on time to their classes every day.
Students late to school will receive a tardy slip and will be directed to class.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY
For a student to be released from school before the end of the school day, the student’s parent or authorized
adult must report to the school office, present a photo ID upon request, provide a reason for the early checkout,
and sign a log. The student will be called to the office only when the parent or authorized adult is physically
present. Students will not be released to anyone who is not listed on the emergency card. These procedures
are to ensure the safety of all students.
For a student to be released from school before the end of the school day, the student’s parent or authorized
adult must report to the school office, present a photo ID upon request, provide a reason for the early checkout,
and sign a log. The student will be called to the office only when the parent or authorized adult is physically
present. Students will not be released to anyone who is not listed on the emergency card. These procedures
are to ensure the safety of all students.
ILLNESS
The following are guidelines as to when a student should be kept at home or picked up from school as a result
of an illness or injury – this list is not inclusive of all conditions or reasons for which a student may need to
remain or be sent home:
1. Fever of 100 degrees or greater.
2. Significant respiratory complaints (repeated coughing, wheezing or other upper respiratory symptoms).
3. Rash of unknown causes that are systemic in nature or accompanied by a fever.
4. Suspected conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes with exudate or inflamed conjunctiva).
5. Contagious conditions such as untreated ringworm, head lice, impetigo, etc.
6. Vomiting and/or diarrhea when accompanied by malaise or fever or when more than one episode.
7. Head injury accompanied by a headache or visual disturbances, severe headache, or visual disturbances
(otherwise 911 will be called).
8. Cuts or gashes that are deep or large, underlying structures are visible, or bleeding cannot be controlled
within 5 minutes.
If there is a reasonable suspicion that a student is ill with any of the above signs or symptoms while at school,
the student will be removed from class and isolated from others, as appropriate, and the parent, or authorized
adult listed on the emergency contact list, will be called to pick up the student from school. Additionally, in
accordance with EC 49451, a student may be excluded from school whenever there is good reason to believe
that the student is suffering from a recognized contagious or infectious disease. The student will not be allowed
to return to school until there is reasonable evidence to show that the contagious or infectious disease no
longer exists.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Once verified by a parent, a student’s absence will be excused for any of the following reasons:
1. Personal illness, including an absence for the benefit of the student’s mental or behavioral health
2. Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer
3. Medical, dental, or chiropractic service or appointment
4. Attendance at funeral services for a member of the student’s immediate family (limited to one day if the
service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state)
5. Jury duty
6. Illness or medical appointment of the student’s child
7. Upon advance written request by the parent and the approval of the principal or designee, justifiable
personal reasons including, but not limited to:
a. Appearance in court
b. Attendance at a funeral service
c. Observance of a religious holiday or ceremony
d. Attendance at religious retreats for no more than four hours per semester
e. Attendance at an employment conference
f. Attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit
organization
8. Service as a member of a precinct board for an election
9. To spend time with an immediate family member who is an active-duty member of the uniformed services,
and has been called to duty for deployment to a combat zone or a combat support position or is on leave
from or has immediately returned from such deployment (limited to three days)
10. Attendance at a naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen
11. Participation in a cultural ceremony or event which relates to the habits, practices, beliefs, and traditions of
a certain group of people
9. To spend time with an immediate family member who is an active-duty member of the uniformed services,
and has been called to duty for deployment to a combat zone or a combat support position or is on leave
from or has immediately returned from such deployment (limited to three days)
10. Attendance at a naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen
11. Participation in a cultural ceremony or event which relates to the habits, practices, beliefs, and traditions of
a certain group of people
12. For a middle school or high school student, engagement in a civic or political event (limited to one school
day-long absence per school year if the student notifies the school ahead of the absence; additional days
may be permitted at the discretion of the school administrator)
13. Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction at the student’s place of
worship or other suitable place away from school property as designated by the religious group, church, or
denomination
For the purpose of the absences described above, immediate family means the student’s parent, brother or
sister, grandparent, or any other relative living in the student’s household.
day-long absence per school year if the student notifies the school ahead of the absence; additional days
may be permitted at the discretion of the school administrator)
13. Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction at the student’s place of
worship or other suitable place away from school property as designated by the religious group, church, or
denomination
For the purpose of the absences described above, immediate family means the student’s parent, brother or
sister, grandparent, or any other relative living in the student’s household.
TRUANCY & ATTENDANCE ACCOUNTABILITY
A student is considered truant after three absences or three tardies of more than 30 minutes each time or any
combination thereof and the absences or tardies are unexcused. After a student has been reported as a truant
three or more times in a school year and the school has made a conscientious effort to meet with the family,
the student is considered a habitual truant. A student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10%
or more of the schooldays in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date, is considered a
chronic truant. Unexcused absences are all absences that are not listed under “Excused Absences” above.
VERIFYING ABSENCES
It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school office of any absences or tardies in written or verbal
form upon the student’s return to school. When the absence is planned, parents should notify the school prior
to the date of the absence. All written notes to verify an absence or tardy should include the student’s name,
date(s) of absence/tardy, reason for absence/tardy, and parent’s signature and daytime contact number.
It is important for parents and students to understand that writing a note to verify an absence does not excuse
the absence. Absences are excused only if they meet the criteria listed under “Excused Absences” above;
however, a doctor’s note may be requested by the principal or designee when the student has been absent
more than 10 days in the school year due to illness. Absences not cleared within three school days will remain
unverified/unexcused. The school will attempt to contact the student’s parent regarding each absence. The
attempts will be made by mail, telephone, home, and/or work visitation. Absences marked
unverified/unexcused in the student’s records can potentially lead to a referral to the School Attendance
Review Board.
It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school office of any absences or tardies in written or verbal
form upon the student’s return to school. When the absence is planned, parents should notify the school prior
to the date of the absence. All written notes to verify an absence or tardy should include the student’s name,
date(s) of absence/tardy, reason for absence/tardy, and parent’s signature and daytime contact number.
It is important for parents and students to understand that writing a note to verify an absence does not excuse
the absence. Absences are excused only if they meet the criteria listed under “Excused Absences” above;
however, a doctor’s note may be requested by the principal or designee when the student has been absent
more than 10 days in the school year due to illness. Absences not cleared within three school days will remain
unverified/unexcused. The school will attempt to contact the student’s parent regarding each absence. The
attempts will be made by mail, telephone, home, and/or work visitation. Absences marked
unverified/unexcused in the student’s records can potentially lead to a referral to the School Attendance
Review Board.
SHORT-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY
In the event of an extended absence of no less than three and no more than fourteen days, for reasons of
personal business, family vacation or other such circumstances, a parent or student should request a
Temporary Independent Study Agreement from the school attendance office. The Temporary Independent
Study Agreement needs to be completed and returned to the school attendance office five days prior to the
absence so the teacher can assemble the Temporary Independent Study assignments. All work must be
completed and turned in to the school office upon return on the first day the student returns. Failure to do so
may result in the denial of future requests for Independent Study.
Temporary Independent Study may be granted for a maximum cumulative total of 14 days in one school year.
SATURDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
If your student has an excused or unexcused absence, they have the opportunity to remove one absence by
attending Saturday School. Permission slips are sent home at least one (1) week prior to the event, to sign
your student(s) up you must return the permission slip to your child’s teacher or the front office. Saturday
School is held from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, the dates for 2024-2025 school year are as follows:
● September 28, 2024
● October 19, 2024
● November 16, 2024
● December 14, 2024
● January 25, 2025
● February 8, 2025
● March 8, 2025
In the event of an extended absence of no less than three and no more than fourteen days, for reasons of
personal business, family vacation or other such circumstances, a parent or student should request a
Temporary Independent Study Agreement from the school attendance office. The Temporary Independent
Study Agreement needs to be completed and returned to the school attendance office five days prior to the
absence so the teacher can assemble the Temporary Independent Study assignments. All work must be
completed and turned in to the school office upon return on the first day the student returns. Failure to do so
may result in the denial of future requests for Independent Study.
Temporary Independent Study may be granted for a maximum cumulative total of 14 days in one school year.
SATURDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
If your student has an excused or unexcused absence, they have the opportunity to remove one absence by
attending Saturday School. Permission slips are sent home at least one (1) week prior to the event, to sign
your student(s) up you must return the permission slip to your child’s teacher or the front office. Saturday
School is held from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, the dates for 2024-2025 school year are as follows:
● September 28, 2024
● October 19, 2024
● November 16, 2024
● December 14, 2024
● January 25, 2025
● February 8, 2025
● March 8, 2025
● March 29, 2025
● April 26, 2025
● May 3, 2025
● May 17, 2025
● April 26, 2025
● May 3, 2025
● May 17, 2025