ATTENDANCE

Please note, for attendance credit and per Education Code 46010.3, as a condition of apportionment, there must be an intent for the pupil to attend school that day. The student must have been engaged in instruction and under the immediate control and supervision of a credentialed person. For attendance award purposes, arriving at school late and leaving school early constitutes a tardy.

Excused Absences: A student’s absence may be excused legally (apportionment) for the following reasons (Education Code 46010):

• Due to his or her illness.
• Due to quarantine under the direction of a County or City health officer.
• For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic services rendered.
• For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of his or her immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one (1) day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three (3) days if the service is conducted outside California.
• For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by law.
• Due to exclusion from school pursuant to Section 3381, so long as the absence is not more than five school days pursuant to Section 46010.5

Other Excused Absences: Pupils shall be excused legally (non-apportionment) from school for justifiable personal reasons, including appearance in court, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his/her religion, attendance at religious retreats, or an employment conference, when the pupil’s parent requests such absence in writing and it is approved by the principal or designated representative. Pupils absent from school because of these reasons shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence. (Education Code 48205)

Attendance and SARB: Parents are responsible for a child’s attendance from age 6 until age 18 (Ed Code 48200). In California, three unexcused tardies constitute truancy and 10 unexcused absences is considered excessive. California compulsory education law requires students between the ages of six and 18 years of age to attend school. In establishing School Attendance Review Boards (SARB), the Legislature intended to develop new ways of coordinating school, community and home efforts to deal with student attendance and behavior problems. Not only is regular and punctual attendance important for a child’s academic progress, it is a mandate. A SARB letter is sent to parents when their child’s attendance becomes a concern. Tardies in excess of thirty minutes are also reported as a component of the SARB process. Missing any thirty minutes or more of the school day can be considered a tardy. Subsequent letters are sent if the attendance or tardies don’t show improvement. Parents or guardians of students who are found to be truant will be referred to the Hesperia Unified School District School Attendance Review Board for appropriate action. Unexcused, unverified or excessive excused absences affect the student’s education and increase the chances for failure. Tardies interrupt the classroom and interfere with the learning process. Assisting students and families to improve those areas that are interfering with regular and punctual attendance is the goal of SARB. Student absences must be excused by a parent or guardian. This can be done in person, by written note, or by calling the school office for the attendance line. We must have information regarding each day of absence. Remember, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to notify Hollyvale regarding student absences.

Religious Absences: With your prior written permission, your child may be excused to attend religious services away from school. However, your child will be required to attend school for a certain number of minutes for that day. Such absences are limited to four days per month. (Education Code, Section 46014)
Truancies: Any student who is absent from school without valid excuse more than three (3) days or tardy in excess of 30 minutes on each of more than three (3) days is truant (Education Code 48260). Students who are found to be truant will be referred to the Hesperia Unified School District School Attendance Review Board for appropriate action. Parents or guardians of students who are found to be truant are subject to criminal complaint and may be prosecuted (Education Code 48292).