Los Cerros Middle School

• At (School name), all students are expected to attend all classes daily and they are expected to arrive on time except for excused absences.  
• We define “on time” as being inside the classroom when the bell rings.  
• Attendance will be taken during each class period.  
• Students and Parents/Guardians should monitor their attendance through the Infinite Campus portal.  If you need help with Infinite Campus logins, please contact portalhelp@srvusd.net.

• It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to communicate with the school Attendance Office for any full or partial day absences. The phone number for your student’s Attendance Line is 925-855-6899.
• *Attendance Must Be Cleared Within two (2) school days (48 hours).  All absences not cleared with the Attendance Office within two (2) days after a student’s return to school will be recorded as a CUT. 

• Student’s full name (spell the last name) and grade
• Reason for the absence (failure to provide reason results in absence marked as Unexcused)
• Date(s) of the absence(s)
• Parent/guardian name and relationship to the student

• Phone call, or signed written note from parent/guardian. Email from the parent/guardian is also acceptable. 
• Conversation, in person or by telephone, between the verifying employee and the student's parent/guardian. Voicemail on the attendance line is also acceptable.
• Visit to the student's home by the verifying employee, or any other reasonable method which establishes the fact that the student was absent for the reasons stated. 
• Physician's verification.
•  When excusing students for confidential medical services or verifying such appointments, district staff shall not ask the purpose of such appointments but may contact a medical office to confirm the time of the appointment.
•  When a student has accumulated 10 full-day excused, scattered absences in the school year as verified by methods listed in #1-3 above, subsequent full or partial day absences for illness or physician’s appointment shall require physician’s verification or to be excused by method of the district's chronic illness form.

• Student illness
• Medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic appointment
• Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family
• Observation of a holiday or ceremony of his/her religion
• Attendance at religious retreats not to exceed four hours per semester
• Appearance in court
• Jury duty
• Attendance at an employment conference
• Attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit organization
• Service as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Elections Code 12302
• Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction in accordance with district policy

• 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 (SRVUSD Infinite Campus attendance codes triggering truancy are: CUT, UNX, VTY, EDT)

• First notification letter is sent home by the school site notifying parent/guardian of the incidents of truancy. 
• Second notification letter is sent home by the school site notifying parent/guardian of additional incidents of truancy.  The school site will contact the parent/guardian to attend a required Student Attendance Review Team (SART) or Attendance Intervention meeting at the school to discuss concerns and collaboratively develop a plan to improve attendance.  A follow-up meeting may also be scheduled to evaluate how the plan is working and make adjustments as needed.
• Third notification letter is sent home by the school site notifying parent/guardian of further incidents of truancy and that the school site will be making a referral to the District SARB panel. 
• Certified letter is sent by the District SARB Coordinator indicating the date, time, and location of the SARB Hearing.  Parents/Guardian and student are required to attend. 
• Student is referred to Juvenile Court. 

• If your child is coming to school late, please contact the attendance line or email your attendance technician.  
• When arriving on campus students must go into the attendance office to sign in and receive a pass to class.  
• If your student is leaving early, contact the attendance line.
• Parents must sign out at the attendance office BEFORE leaving campus. Failure to sign out at the attendance 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. 

• Make sure to include your students 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.

• 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 48205)

• 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)

•  Work in the entertainment or allied industry.  (Education Code 48225.5)

•  Participation with a nonprofit performing arts organization in a performance for a public school audience.  (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)

• 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)

• 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 HAPPENS IF WE MISS THE LAST 10 DAYS OF SCHOOL?
Students should be in attendance through the last day of school 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 child does not attend the first three days of school, your student may lose their space at your resident school site and be diverted to another school. If there is not a space at your resident school when you return, your child will be placed at the closest school based on space availability.
   
• If you know your student will be missing the first three days, or more, of school please send an email to the principal and office manager/attendance staff at your student’s school site.

HOW DO I REQUEST A SHORT-TERM PRE-DETERMINED ABSENCE INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR (MAXIMUM OF 14 DAYS)?
To request a short term pre-determined absence Independent Study Contract, a parent/guardian must submit a completed form to the Attendance Office. Click here for an Independent Study Request Form. The Independent Study program is available to students who are taking a trip for 5 or more consecutive school days (AR 6158). This program provides students with the opportunity to maintain their grades and credits for their classes.

Short-term independent study contracts (maximum of 14 days annually). 

• 5-10 day Independent Study contract must be requested at least THREE DAYS in advance
• 11+ day Independent Study contract must be requested (and the principal must be contacted) at least FIVE DAYS in advance.

HOW DO I REQUEST A MEDICAL INDEPENDENT STUDY CONTRACT?
To request a Medical Independent Study Contract, a parent/guardian must submit a completed form to the Attendance Office. Click here for a Medical Independent Study Request Form. The Independent Study program is available to students who need to miss school for medical reasons (i.e. students having surgery).  This program provides students with the opportunity to maintain their grades and credits for their classes.