Attendance

All absences from school must be explained by a phone call from the parent/guardian.  Call the 24-hour service number ( 650)329-3711 at anytime (except between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekdays) during which time we are receiving messages.  If attendance office personnel do not answer, leave a message on the answering machine.

The school does not accept notes for absences and will not issue admits to class.  Students returning to school after an absence should go directly to class.  If you have concerns or questions about an absence or a cut, please contact the teacher of record directly.

It is the parents’ responsibility to know when their student is not in school and to provide the reason for all absences within 48 hours of the absence.  Failure to do so will result in a student receiving a cut for the class, possible loss of the opportunity to make up work, or tests and/or being dropped from class.

Automatic Dialer

We will attempt to call home and notify you of all un-cleared absences.  Our automatic dialer is programmed to call the home between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. of every student who has an un-cleared absence.  Calls are made every day but often parents cannot be reached and messages must be left on answering machines.  Parents are responsible if students pick up messages and fail to pass them on in a timely fashion.  A daily log is kept of all calls made and the results of the calls.  Because the system is not foolproof, it is vital that the parent/guardian follow the procedure below.

Important Term and Procedures

If a student leaves campus during the day for an appointment, the parent/guardian must notify the attendance office in person or by telephone.  The student must pick up a “Permit to Leave” pass from the Attendance Office.  The pass will indicate the time of departure and the reason for leaving campus.  If the student returns to school the same day, they are to report back to the Attendance Office.

Excused Absences

Excused absences include the following:

• Health – absences due to illness, quarantine, medical, dental, eye, or chiropractic appointments
• Warranted – Prearrangement required.
  • observance of religious holiday or ceremony
  • appearance in court
  • employment conference
  • funeral service for member of immediate family
  • college visitation up to 5 days (Seniors and second semester juniors only)
  • special circumstances approved by principal

College Visitation

Seniors and second semester juniors, with written prior approval, may take five (5) days to visit college campuses.  Students who do not complete and turn in a college visitation to the Attendance Office will be charged with an “other” excuse for classes/days missed and may lose the opportunity to make up assignments/tests.

Prior Approval Forms

Available in the Attendance Office.  Forms must be completed with parent, teacher, and administrator signatures (and the admissions officer signature for each college visited) and turned into the Attendance Office at least 24 hours in advance of the event.  The teacher of any class from which a student is absent shall determine what assignments the student shall make up and in what period of time the student shall complete such assignments.

Unexcused Absences

Absences which do not qualify under the categories listed on the previous page are described as unexcused absences.  No student shall be granted credit for assignments nor may a student be permitted to make up tests for any unexcused absence.

Cuts

Absences that have not been cleared by the parent or guardian by phone within 48 hours of their occurrence.

Consequences for Cuts in a Single Class

1st cut:  Parents notified of absence via automated phone dialer.  Parents did not phone in an explanation.

2nd cut:  Parents notified of absence via automated phone dialer.  Parents did not phone in an explanation.

3rd cut:  Truancy letter mailed to parents.

4th cut:  Upon teacher notification, administration will notify student that next cut will result in being dropped from class.  Staff will make every effort to inform parents.

5th cut:  Upon teacher verification, administration will drop the student from class.  The transcript will indicate no mark because of attendance (NA).  Parents will be notified and informed of their due process rights.

Other Absences

Absences with parent approval that do not qualify as excused absences (family trips, home but not sick, care for siblings, etc.) will be recorded as “Other”.