ATTENDANCE POLICIES

What to Do if a Student is Absent

Parents/Guardians (not students) are required to call the school office (562-925-5073) before 9:00 a.m. to notify the school that a student will be absent. This phone call is a daily requirement. Failure to call will result in the issuing of an infraction. Any student who is absent for more than one block (85 minutes) during the day may not participate in any school function that day (i.e., athletic events, dances, senior events, drama activities, special programs). Should the school activity fall on a weekend or holiday, the student must be in class at least two class periods the school day prior to the event.

What to Do the Day After An Absence

Bring in a note written and signed by a parent/guardian that includes:

name of student
grade level
dates of absence
reason for absence
parent signature
phone number to verify note

If your daughter does not bring a note to school on the day she returns from her absence, you have until 3:30pm to Fax or bring in a note that day. If the note is not brought in or Faxed to the school on that day by 3:30pm, the student will serve a detention after school every day until the note is received.

These notes are kept in the student's attendance file for the entire school year for liability purposes.

What to Do if You Arrive on Campus After the Start of School (Tardy)

Report to the main office first. Give an excuse note to the attendance personnel. The attendance personnel will issue a tardy/admit slip. (See Tardy Policy in this section.)

Types of Absences
Records of school attendance and absence at Saint Joseph High School follow guidelines from the State Education Code. According to this code there are the following types of absence: excused, unexcused, truant, and authorized family absence.

Excused absences:

valid illness
medical, dental, or optometry appointment (doctor's note required)
attendance at a funeral (see funeral policy)
approved school sponsored activities
(Note: College visits are not considered excused absences.)

Unexcused absences

Unexcused absences are:
all other absences taken with permission of parents/guardians, but not that of the school
any absences for an acceptable reason (as listed above) in which the parents/guardians have failed to notify the school and have not written a note for the student's attendance file.

Truancy

Truancy is defined as an unexcused absence from school without the knowledge and consent of both the parents/guardians and the proper school authority either for a whole day, part of a day, or part of a class period. The attendance secretary will immediately refer all questionable circumstances to the appropriate Dean of Students.

Authorized Family/Absence/Vacations

Authorized family absences must be pre-arranged with the Attendance Secretary and be approved by the appropriate Academic Advisors. These will be counted toward the student’s personal absences.

The school discourages parents/guardians from withdrawing their daughters from school for extended vacations. The school does not guarantee that the student will be allowed to make up all the work that she misses. No early testing will be provided for families who plan vacations during the week of final exams. Students who miss their final exam due to a family vacation will receive a zero. Parents/guardians are asked to plan vacations during the regular school vacation periods.

Other Attendance/Absence Policies and Procedures

Attendance at a Funeral

Attending funeral services of a member of a pupil's immediate family, to the extent of not more than one day if the service is conducted in California, and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside of California, will be considered an excused absence. (CCR Title 5, Sec. 420)

Communicable Disease

The school principal shall cooperate with the local health officer in measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases in school age children. [Education Code 49403 (a)] A student who has been absent from school because of a reported communicable disease must have a permit issued by the Public Health Department, a physician, or a nurse before she is readmitted to the school. The principal may readmit a student absent because of non-reportable communicable diseases, such as chicken-pox, German measles, and influenza.

Doctor’s Release Order or Medical Excuse

The school reserves the right to request a doctor's release for any student experiencing a health condition that warrants such a release. If a student is absent five or more days without prior notification, a doctor's note must accompany the student in order to be re-admitted to class. Tuberculosis patch test and/or x-rays, immunization for prevention of diphtheria and small pox vaccination may be given only with the explicit written permission of parents.

Early Dismissal

No student is ever allowed off campus during school hours without the specific permission from the student's parent/guardian. To receive an Early Dismissal Slip the student must:
Present a note to the Attendance Secretary prior to the first bell and receive an early dismissal slip. The parent/guardian note must specify the student's name, grade level, exact time of dismissal, the reason for dismissal, and the phone number of a parent/guardian who can be called to verify the note. Only those reasons listed as acceptable for excused absences are considered appropriate for Early Dismissal.
At the beginning of the block from which the student is being dismissed, the student will show the Early Dismissal Slip to her teacher.
When it is time to leave, the student will report to the main office FIRST before leaving campus. If the student does not drive, the parent/guardian must come to the office to sign out.
Upon returning to campus the student will report to the main office FIRST before proceeding to class or break/lunch. The early dismissal slip should be given to attendance personnel.

Excessive Absence

If a student is absent for eight or more days during a semester marking period, credit may be withheld according to the regulations and at the discretion of the school. Missing five or more blocks of the same class within a semester is considered excessive. Therefore, after the fifth absence from any block, a letter will be sent home to inform the parents/guardians of their daughter's status. Five personal absences per semester will result in Disciplinary Probation I status. After a student reaches the fifth personal absence, parent and student will be notified in writing. Excessive absences may warrant convening the Student Success Team.

Illness During the School Day

If a student becomes ill or has an accident during class time, she must request a sick room pass from her teacher and go to the main office. If she becomes ill or has an accident during the school day, outside of class time, she is to report to the main office. If the student's parent/guardian cannot pick up the student, the student can remain in the office for one class period only. The receptionist will call the student's parents/guardians and make arrangements for her care until she is picked up. The student MAY not leave campus without proper authorization, or she will be considered truant. If the student is driving her own vehicle only, she may not leave campus without telephone authorization from a parent/guardian.

Medical Examinations and Inoculations

A student, with the permission of the parent/guardian, may be subject to routine tests including audio, visual and dental examinations and, upon referral by the principal, to a complete physical examination and/or other professional help.

School Related Releases

A student will receive a school-related release only when she is attending a function related to or promoted by Saint Joseph High School. College visits are not considered school-related releases.

Special Circumstances

The Attendance Office is to be notified in regard to serious illness or an accident so that the appropriate adjustments can be made. Extended absences of more than five days will require a doctor's note.