Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS AN APPOINTMENT?
- If your child is coming to school late, please contact the attendance line (925-855-5299) or email Bernadette Rendon.
- When arriving on campus students must go into the office to sign in and receive a pass to class.
- If your student is leaving early, contact the attendance line or email. Students must be signed out at the office BEFORE leaving campus. Failure to sign out at the office will result in a CUT for any missed classes. This is a safety policy that is strictly enforced and outlined in the student handbook.
HOW DO I CLEAR AN ABSENCE?
The easiest and most effective way to clear your child’s attendance is by calling the attendance line and leaving a message or sending an email. Make sure to include your student’s full name, grade, dates and reason for absence
- Parents/Guardians have a maximum of 2 days to excuse an absence. It is preferred that you please let us know as soon as possible.
- Attach a picture or any notes to the email - no need to drop paper copies.
WHAT IS AN EXCUSABLE ABSENCE?
When a student is absent from school, their parent or guardian should verify the reason for absence by explaining the reason for the absence. This is required from California Education Code Section 46012.
California Education Code is explicit in distinguishing between an excused and an unexcused absence. According to Education Code Section 48205, the following types of absences are excusable as long as parents/caregivers notify the attendance office within two (2) days:
- Personal illness, including absence for the benefit of the student’s mental or behavioral health. (Education Code 48205)
- Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer (Ed Code 48205)
- Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointment (Ed Code 48205)
- Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family. (Ed Code 48205) Such absence shall be limited to one day if the service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state. (Ed Code 48205)
- Jury duty in the manner provided by law for students 18 and over. (Ed Code 48205
- Illness or medical appointment of a child to whom the student is the custodial parent. (Ed Code 48205)
- Upon advance written request by the parent/guardian and the approval of the principal or designee, justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to: (Ed Code 48205)
- Appearance in court
- Attendance of a funeral service
- Observation of a holiday or ceremony
- Attendance at religious retreats for no more than four hours per semester
- Attendance at an employment conference
- Attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit
- Service as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Elections Code 12302 (Ed Code 4820)
- To spend time with an immediate family member who is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined in Education Code 49701, 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. (Education Code 48205) Such absence shall be granted for a period of time to be determined at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee. (Ed Code 48205)
- Attendance at the student’s naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen (Ed Code 48205)
- Participation in a cultural ceremony or event which relates to the habits, practices, beliefs and traditions of a certain group of people (Ed Code 48205)
- For middle school or high school students, engagement in a civic or political event, provided the student notifies the school ahead of the absence. Unless otherwise permitted by the Superintendent or designee, students shall be limited to one such school day-long absence per school year. (Ed Code 48205)
- 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. (Ed Code 46014)
Absence for student participation in religious exercises or instruction shall not be considered an absence for the purpose of computing average daily attendance if the student attends at least the minimum school day as specified in AR 6112 - School Day, and is not excused from school for this purpose on more than four days per school month.
- Work in the entertainment or allied industry. (Education Code 48225.5) Work for a student who holds a work permit authorizing work in the entertainment or allied industries for a period of not more than five consecutive days. For this purpose, student absence shall be excused for a maximum of up to five absences per school year. (Education Code 48225.5
- Participation with a nonprofit performing arts organization in a performance for a public school audience. (Education Code 48225.5)
A student may be excused for up to five such absences per school year provided that the student's parent/guardian provides a written explanation of such absence to the school. (Education Code 48225.5)
- Other reasons authorized at the discretion of the principal or designee based on the student's specific circumstances. (Education Code 48205, 48260)
For the purpose of the absences described above, immediate family means the student's parent/guardian, brother or sister, grandparent, or any other relative living in the student's household. (Education Code 48205)
WHEN DOES MY STUDENT NEED TO BRING A MEDICAL NOTE TO VERIFY AN ABSENCE?
When a student has accumulated 10 full-day excused, scattered absences in the school year as verified by methods listed in #1-3 in the District’s AR 5113 (written or verbal communication from parent/guardian or school employee making a home visit), any subsequent full or partial day absences for illness or physician’s appointment shall require physician’s verification or must be excused by method of the district's chronic illness form.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE TRUANT?
Education Code section 48260 provides a definition for truancy, which initiates the truancy process outlined in SRVUSD Board Policy AR 5113.1:
- A student who is absent from school without a valid excuse three full days in one school year
- A student who is tardy or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year
- Any combination of these (Infinite Campus attendance codes triggering truancy are: CUT, UNX, VTY, EDT)
Education Code section 48262 defines habitual truancy:
- A student who has been reported as a truant three or more times per school year
- The school site or district staff must have made a conscientious effort to hold at least one conference with the student and their parent/guardian
- Education Code section 48263 provides that habitual truants may be referred to the District’s School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS IN THE HOSPITAL AND WILL NEED TO BE OUT FOR MORE THAN 20 DAYS?
Students who are hospitalized for more than 20 days qualify for a type of Independent Studies called “Home and Hospital Instruction”.
Secondary: To initiate home and hospital they need to contact their school counselor.
Elementary: To initiate please contact your school principal.
Please contact our Student Services Department for any questions and support (925) 552-5052.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE MISS THE LAST 10 DAYS OF SCHOOL?
Students should be in attendance through the last day of school, June 5, 2024, to maintain their enrollment status at their current school. Independent study contracts will not be issued the last 10 days of school.
If your child must leave school earlier than 10 school days before the last day of school and does not return before the end of the school year, your child may be subject to the following consequences:
- Incomplete or lowered final grades
- Review by school/district attendance review board
- Unenrolled and placed on the waitlist upon re-enrollment, if space is not available.
If your student is unenrolled, there may not be a space at the current school for your student to return in the fall. In this case your student may have to be diverted to another elementary school in the district. Middle and High school students may not be able to access their elective choices if they re-enroll upon their return.
Please note:
In accordance with California Education Codes 48205 and 48260, and District Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5113, any student who misses 3 or more school days without a valid excuse, as defined by AR 5113, shall be reported as truant to the District attendance supervisor.
