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Attendance

24-Hour Attendance Phone Line: 408-354-2731 
 

Students that attend school consistently have a greater chance of excelling academically. Being present in the classroom provides students the ability to ask for clarification, engage in meaningful discussions with other students, and take accurate notes to prepare for tests. 

Clearing Student Absences

Absence from school shall be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy and administration regulations. (Education Code 46010, 48205, 48216, AR 5113)  

If a student will be absent, parents must call the LGHS attendance line 408-354-2731 prior to or up to 72 hours after a whole day's absence. If leaving a voice mail message, it must include:

- the student's name
- grade level
- reason for absence
- date(s) of absence.                  

If a student needs  to leave campus early, parents must notify the school IN ADVANCE and the student must check out through the attendance office. If a student leaves campus, other than during the scheduled lunch period, the student will be issued a “Cut” for any missed classes. Those cuts cannot be cleared.

Parents will be notified of all absences on the student’s record through the automated telephone message system, which will deliver calls at approximately 11:30 am and 5:30 pm.  Students and parents will receive attendance warning letters, automatically generated by the computer system, after the sixth absence. 

Full Day Absence

Parents or guardians have a 72 - hour window (3-days) within which to place a call to the school to excuse an absence. The 72-hour window begins at the start of the school day that the student is absent. 

Make-up Work

It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher for make-up work when make-up privileges have been granted. Some teachers limit time allowed for make-up work. 

Leaving Campus

With parent permission, the attendance office will give the student authorization to leave campus. Students may not leave school without first checking out through the Attendance Office. Failure to check out through the Attendance Office will result in a "class cut" which cannot be cleared.”  Parents must sign students out through the attendance office PRIOR TO the student leaving campus.   Note: Students and parents should monitor Aeries regularly to be aware of the student’s attendance record. Contract their House office for assistance.

Here is the Annual Notification to Parents that is shared with students and parents at the beginning of each school year. It contains the attendance policies along the list of reasons an absence can be excused and other school policies.

Excused Absences (BP 5113)

A student's absence shall be excused for the following reasons:

  1. Personal illness (Education Code 48205)

  2. Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer (Education Code 48205)

  3. Medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic appointment (Education Code 48205)

  4. Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family, which shall be limited to one day if the service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state (Education Code 48205) Immediate family shall be defined as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, spouse, son/son-in-law, daughter/daughter-in-law, brother, sister, or any relative living in the student's immediate household. (Education Code 45194, 48205)

  5. Jury duty in the manner provided by law (Education Code 48205)

  6. The illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child to whom the student is the custodial parent (Education Code 48205) Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to schedule medical appointments during nonschool hours. (AR 5113)

  7. Upon advance written request by the parent/guardian and the approval of the principal or designee, justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to: (Education Code 48205)

    1. Appearance in court

    2. Attendance at a funeral service

    3. Observation of a holiday or ceremony of his/her religion

    4. Attendance at religious retreats not to exceed four hours per semester

    5. Attendance at an employment conference

    6. Attendance at an educational conference offered by a nonprofit organization on the legislative or judicial process
       

  8. Service as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Elections Code 12302 (Education Code 48205)

  9. To spend time with his/her 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)

  10. Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction in accordance with district policy (Education Code 46014)

    1. In such instances, the student shall attend at least the minimum school day.

    2. The student shall be excused for this purpose on no more than four days per school month.

 

Method of Verification

When a student who has been absent returns to school, he/she shall present a satisfactory explanation verifying the reason for the absence. Absences shall be verified by the student's parent/guardian, other person having control of the minor, or the student if age 18 or older. (Education Code 46012; 5 CCR 306)

The following methods may be used to verify student absences:

  1. Voice mail from parent/guardian or parent representative.

  2. Conversation, in person or by telephone, between the verifying employee and the student's parent/guardian or parent representative. 

  3. Physician's verification.

Parents/guardians may not clear a student's absence for periods missed in the middle of the school day unless it is for a medical appointment or other “excused” absence. 

Parents or guardians have a 72 - hour window within which to place a call to the school to excuse an absence. The 72-hour window begins at the start of the school day when the student is absent.

Definitions of Chronic Absences and Truancy (AR 5113.1)

Chronic absentee means a student who is absent for any reason on 10 percent or more of the school days in the school year, when the total number of days the student is absent is divided by the total number of days the student is enrolled and school was actually taught in the regular schools of the district, exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays. (Education Code 60901)

Truant means a student who is absent from school without a valid excuse 

  • three full days in one school year

  • absent for 30-minutes or more in any given period without a valid excuse on three separate days in one school year, or 

  • any combination thereof (Education Code 48260)

Habitual truant means a student who has been reported as a truant three or more times within the same school year, provided the district has made a conscientious effort to hold at least one conference with the student and the student's parent/guardian after either of the two previous reports. (Education Code 48262, 48264.5)

Chronic truant means a student who has been absent from school without a valid excuse for 10 percent or more of the school days in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date, provided the district has met the requirements of Education Code 48260, 48260.5, 48261, 48262, 48263, and 48291. (Education Code 48263.6)

For purposes of classifying a student as a truant, valid excuse includes, but is not limited to, the reasons for which a student shall be excused from school pursuant to Education Code 48205 and 48225.5 and AR 5113 

Absences and Excuses.
A valid excuse may include other reasons that are within the discretion of school administrators and, based on the facts of the student's circumstances, are deemed to constitute a valid excuse. (Education Code 48260)

Addressing Chronic Absence (AR 5113.1)

When a student is identified as a chronic absentee, the Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or designee shall communicate with the student and the student's parents/guardians to determine the reason(s) for the excessive absences, ensure the student and parents/guardians are aware of the adverse consequences of poor attendance, and jointly develop a plan for improving the student's school attendance.

Addressing Truancy (AR 5113.1)

An attendance supervisor or designee, peace officer, probation officer, or school administrator or designee may, as applicable, arrest or assume temporary custody during school hours of any minor student found away from home who is absent from school without a valid excuse. Any person arresting or assuming temporary custody of a minor student shall deliver the student and make reports in accordance with Education Code 48265 and 48266.

The Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or designee shall investigate a complaint from any person that a parent/guardian has violated the state compulsory education laws contained in Education Code 48200-48341. (Education Code 48290)

When a student has been identified as a truant as defined above, the following steps shall be implemented based on the number of truancies the student has committed:

  1. Initial truancy (Warning Given to Student by Campus Supervisor)

    1. The student shall be reported to the attendance supervisor, or designee. (Education Code 48260)

    2. The student's parent/guardian shall be notified by the most cost-effective method possible, which may include email or a telephone call, that: (Education Code 48260.5)

      1. The student is truant.

      2. The parent/guardian is obligated to compel the student to attend school and, if the parent/guardian fails to meet this obligation, the parent/guardian may be guilty of an infraction of the law and subject to prosecution pursuant to Education Code 48290-48296.

      3. Alternative educational programs are available in the district.

      4. The parent/guardian has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the student's truancy.

      5. The student may be subject to arrest or held in temporary custody by a probation officer, a peace officer, a school administrator or designee, or attendance supervisor or designee pursuant to Education Code 48264 if found away from home and absent from school without a valid excuse.

      6. If the student is at least 13 years of age but under age 18, the student may be subject to the suspension, restriction, or delay of driving privilege pursuant to Vehicle Code 13202.7.

      7. It is recommended that the parent/guardian accompany the student to school and attend classes with the student for one day.

    3. The student may be required to attend makeup classes on one day of a weekend pursuant to Education Code 37223. (Education Code 48264.5)

    4. The student and, as appropriate, the student's parent/guardian may be requested to attend a meeting with a school counselor or other school designee to discuss the root causes of the attendance issue and develop a joint plan to improve the student's attendance. (Education Code 48264.5)

    5. The Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or designee may notify the district attorney and/or probation officer of the student's name and the name and address of the (Education Code 48260.6)

    6. At next offense, First Truancy Letter Sent to Parents; Saturday School Assigned; Staff Meets with Student/Calls Parent
       

  2. Second truancy 

    1. Any student who has once been reported as a truant shall again be reported to the Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or designee as a truant if the student is absent from school without a valid excuse for three full days in one school year and/or is absent for 30-minutes or more in any given period without a valid excuse on three separate days in one school year. (Education Code 48261

    2. The student may be required to attend makeup classes on one day of a weekend pursuant to Education Code 37223. (Education Code 48264.5)

    3. The student may be assigned to an after-school or weekend study program within the county. If the student fails to successfully complete this study program, the student shall be subject to item #3 below. (Education Code 48264.5)

    4. An appropriate district staff member shall make a conscientious effort to hold at least one conference with the student and the student's parent/guardian by communicating with the parent/guardian at least once using the most cost-effective method possible, which may include email or a telephone call. (Education Code 48262)

    5. The student may be given a written warning by a peace officer. A record of that warning may be kept at the school for not less than two years or until the student graduates or transfers from the school. If the student transfers, the record may be forwarded to the new school. (Education Code 48264.5)

    6. The Superintendent or designee may notify the district attorney and/or probation officer when the student continues to be classified as a truant after the parents/guardians have been notified in accordance with item #1b above. (Education Code 48260.6)

    7. Second Truancy Letter Sent to Parents; Saturday School Assigned; Staff Meets with Student/Calls Parent
       

  3. Third truancy (habitual truancy)

    1. A student who is habitually truant, a chronic absentee, or habitually insubordinate or disorderly during attendance at school may be referred to, and required to attend, a SARB program, a truancy mediation program established by the district attorney or the probation officer, or a comparable program deemed acceptable by the Superintendent or designee. (Education Code 48263, 48264.5)

    2. Upon making a referral to the SARB or the probation department, the Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or other person designated to make the referral shall provide the student, the student's parent/guardian, and SARB or probation department with documentation of the interventions undertaken at the school. The attendance supervisor or designee shall also provide the student and the student's parent/guardian, in writing, the name and address of the SARB or probation department and the reason for the referral. This notice shall indicate that the student and the student's parent/guardian shall be required, along with the district staff person making the referral, to meet with the SARB or a probation officer to consider a proper disposition of the referral. (Education Code 48263)

    3. If the student does not successfully complete the truancy mediation program or other similar program, the student shall be subject to item #4 below. (Education Code 48264.5)

    4. If the Superintendent or designee determines that available community services cannot resolve the problem of the truant or insubordinate student or if the student and/or the student's parents/guardians have failed to respond to the directives of the district or to services provided, the Superintendent or designee may so notify the district attorney and/or the probation officer. (Education Code 48263)

    5. Third Truancy Letter Sent to Parents; Saturday School Assigned; Staff Meets with Student/Calls Parent; Attendance Contract Signed with Student/Parent
       

  4. Fourth truancy 

    1. Upon the fourth truancy within the same school year, the student may be referred to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. (Education Code 48264.5; Welfare and Institutions Code 601)

    2. If a student has been adjudged by the county juvenile court to be a habitual truant, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the juvenile court and the student's probation or parole officer whenever the student is truant or tardy on one or more days without a valid excuse in the same or succeeding school year, or is habitually insubordinate or disorderly at school. The juvenile court and probation or parole officer shall be notified within 10 days of the violation. (Education Code 48267)

    3. Attend DA Mediation
       

  5. Chronic truancy (unexcused absence for 10 percent of school days)

    1. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the student's parents/guardians are offered language accessible support services to address the student's truancy.

    2. If a chronically truant student is at least age six years and is in any of grades K-8, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the student's parents/guardians that failure to reasonably supervise and encourage the student's school attendance may result in the parent/guardian being found guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to Penal Code 270.1.

    3. Notify SARB Designee - Referral to District Attorney for Prosecution

    4. Truancy Court
       

  6. Records

    1. The Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or designee shall maintain accurate attendance records for students identified as habitual or chronic truants. In addition, the attendance supervisor, designee, and/or the staff persons who have direct contact with the student or parent/guardian shall document all their contacts regarding the student's attendance, including a summary of all conversations and a record of all intervention efforts.

    2. The Superintendent, attendance supervisor, or designee shall gather and transmit to the County Superintendent of Schools the number and types of referrals made to the SARB and of requests for petitions made to the juvenile court. (Education Code 48273)

Attendance Definitions 2021-2022

CODE

ABSENCE

REASON

A

Unverified

Student was not in class and the parent has not verified the reason for the absence which was within the last 72 hours.

C

Cut

Student was seen out of class without permission, left class without teacher permission, was more than 30 minutes late and no parent called prior to a period of absence or within 72 hours for a full-day absence.

I

Illness

Medical or dental appointment or other illness cleared by parent phone call

S

Suspended

Suspended from school by administration; student not allowed on campus for duration of suspension

T

Tardy

Less than 30 minutes late to class

(Can only be cleared due to medical appointment)

U

Personal

Trips, Family Emergency, Personal Business or DMV appointment cleared by parent phone call

V

Activity
(on-campus)

Spirit  Rally, Sporting or Music Event cleared by supervising staff member

X

Excused

(off-campus)

Religious, Court, 

Elections, College Visit,

Non-CCS Sport (eg. Crew) or 

Funeral cleared by parent or School Field Trips cleared by supervising staff member

Y

School excused

School Based Counseling

Z

Administration

(on- campus)

More than 10 students impacted by traffic event on Highway 17, Health Office,  Counseling, Guidance, Career Center, Wellness Center

             

Administrative Consequences for Unexcused Absences

  • Students may not be able to make up work from unexcused absences, they will also be subject to administrative consequences upon the third unexcused absence.  All discipline hours assigned, including detention, trash pick-up and Saturday School must be served by the last day of the following academic quarter or student privileges and extra-curricular participation may be suspended until the student has cleared the discipline with Administration.
     

  • After a student has accumulated their 3rd  “cut” in any period (on three separate days) or 3 full-day unexcused absences, a warning notice will be issued to the student. A first notification of truancy will be given to the student and the parent.
     

  • After a student has accumulated their 6th “cut,” the student will meet with an administrator or administrative designee to discuss the reasons for the absences and to be counseled on the consequences. A 4-hour Saturday School will be assigned. A second notification of truancy will be given to the student and the parent.
     

  • After a student has accumulated their 9th “cut,” the student will meet with an administrator or administrative designee to be counseled on the consequences. Another 4-hour Saturday School will be assigned. A third notification of truancy will be given to the student and the parent. An attendance contract will be created in collaboration with the student and the parent. 
     

  • After a student has accumulated their 10th “cut,” the student will meet with an administrator or administrative designee to discuss the broken attendance contract. Another, 4-hour Saturday School will be assigned. The student and parent will be required to attend a district SARB (school attendance review board) meeting and be counseled on the possibility of referral to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution.
     

  • After a student has accumulated their 11th “cut,” the student may be referred to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution for truancy.

Administrative Consequences for Tardies:

Students at LGHS are expected to arrive to class on time.  Any student not in their seat when the bell rings will be considered tardy.  There are NO excused tardies. Students arriving 30 minutes or more late for class will be considered absent for that class period. Students and parents should monitor their attendance and tardies on Aeries.

In addition to classroom consequences administered by teachers for tardies, students are subject to administrative consequences upon the 6th tardy.  

  • After a student has accumulated their 6th tardy during the school year, disciplinary hours will be assigned.

  • After a student has accumulated their 9th tardy during the school year, a Saturday School will be assigned.

  • After a student has accumulated their 12th tardy during the school year, two Saturday Schools will be assigned.

Parents will be notified by mail (or email) when a student receives a Saturday School Assignment. All discipline hours assigned, including detention, Trash Pick up, and Saturday school must be served by the last day of the following grading period or student privileges and extra-curricular participation may be suspended until the student has cleared the discipline with Administration.

Extracurricular School Activities

To participate in an activity or athletic event, students shall be present in all scheduled classes on the date of said event. A tardy of  30 minutes or more shall be considered an absence.  

Students who are Eighteen Years Old

From the date of the student's 18th birthday, there shall be permitted no more than five absences from any one class in one semester. Additional absences will result in disciplinary action as specified in the Guidelines for Discipline. Exceptions may be made for absences due to serious medical reasons verified by a doctor and/or approved by an administrator. The standard for tardies shall be the same as for minor students. Form for 18 Year Old rights.pdf