District Attendance Policy and Procedures
August 2010
Dear Parent/Guardian:
I would like to share the Ocean View School District’s attendance policy and procedures with you to assist you in better understanding our school district’s efforts to comply with the State of California Compulsory Education Law.
Excused Absences
Research tells us that students learn more when they attend school. While we know students do become ill and are unable to attend school, the average number of days missed due to illness is three per school year.
Our computers are programmed to notify parents of student illnesses at different intervals. You will receive an attendance letter from the school on your child’s 5th and 10th excused absence. Please be aware that our system will send you letters even if you have called in your child’s absence or you have a doctor’s note. This is part of our process to be consistent in our communication.
On the 14th absence for illness you will be asked to attend a School Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting to discuss ways the school can assist you in improving your child’s attendance. After the 14th absence for illness, the school may require you to provide a doctor’s note for each subsequent absence.
Unexcused Absences
The laws are very specific with regard to unexcused absences. A student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for three full days or misses more than 30 minutes during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions (or any combination thereof) is considered a truant. The school will send a letter to all truant students. If your child has been truant for the 5th time, you will be asked to attend a SART meeting. On the 7th unexcused absence, you will be asked to attend an informational meeting with the Deputy District Attorney. Additional unexcused absences will result in a referral to the School Attendance Review Board and possible referral to the District Attorney.
When your child misses school, please contact the school office with the reason your child missed school. Absences that are “unverified” will be considered unexcused.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please contact the principal of your child’s school. We want to support you in providing the highest quality education to ensure your child’s success.
Sincerely,
Liz Williams, Director
Student Support Services
Note: Excused absences are: illness, doctor/dentist appointment, doctor’s note requiring child to stay home, death in the family, specific religious reasons (Board Policy 5113 (b)), required student appearance in court.
