Student success is directly affected by attendance. Good attendance increases the opportunity for students to achieve academically, participate in sports and activities, and improve self esteem.

California State Law requires all persons under 18 years of age to attend school on a full-time basis. Parents’ interest and cooperation will assure better student attendance and school success. A record of all correspondence will be maintained.

The official school day starts with classes beginning at 8:35 A.M. and ends at 3:00 P.M. Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Students are not allowed on campus prior to 8:00 A.M. unless they are attending a prearranged school activity. All students must also be picked up promptly after school by 3:15 P.M. unless they are involved in a prearranged school activity. Parent support is greatly needed in these crucial areas to insure a safe environment for our students.

When a student is absent from school, he/she must have their parent or guardian:

1. Call the school office verifying their absence. This should be done on the first day of absence. This is the preferred method for verification. Please provide the following information:

• Student’s Name
• Reason for Absence
• Name of the Homeroom Teacher
• Name of the Person Calling and Relationship to the Student
• Dates of Absences

Excused absences are identified as illness, immediate family death, or a doctor/dentist/court appointment. Any other absence is considered an unexcused absence (this includes vacations). If a student is going to be out of school for more than 5 days, please call the office for procedures on extended absences. Please call the school office if you have any other questions regarding an absence!

If an absence goes unverified for 10 days from the date of absence, it will be changed to a truancy which is a parent violation. This is in accordance with Board Policy and will be strictly enforced. Once it becomes truant, it will not be changed.

If a student continues to have excessive absences, tardies, or truancies, the student and parent will be required to have a conference with the School Counselor or Assistant Principal to discuss solutions in order for the student’s attendance to improve. If there is no improvement, the student will be referred to the School Attendance Review Team (SART) where an attendance contract will be established. If there is still no improvement, the student and parent will then be issued a subpoena to the District School Attendance Review Board (SARB) which is held at the Norwalk Court House. Continuing attendance problems will result in a referral to the District Attorney.

Punctuality increases student success and lessens classroom disruptions.

1. When the tardy bell rings in the morning, after snack, and after lunch, the student is considered tardy if not physically present in the classroom.
2. Students will have 5 minutes between classes and breaks to get to their class or they will be considered tardy.
3. Any employee can issue a tardy if the student is out of class without a hall pass or parent/teacher note.
4. When a student is tardy in the morning, they must report to the office, sign the tardy log, and get a pass to class.
5. If a student is tardy due to a doctor/dentist/court appointment, please bring a note from that office in order for the tardy to be marked excused.

• 1st Tardy – Warning. Handled by individual teachers.
• 2nd Tardy – Referral to office. 30 minute after school detention on Tuesday or Thursday.  Parent notified.
• 3rd Tardy and any additional tardies – Referral to office. 30 minute after school detention on Tuesday or Thursday. Parent notified. Possible Parent Conference and/or referral to SART.