Whether a student’s absence is considered excused or a truancy is determined by a combination of Education Code and Board Policy. When a parent notifies the office of the reason for an absence the office must use this criteria to mark the absence correctly in the system. Below are some examples of excused and unexcused absences (truancy):

Excused Absences:

·       Student illness or injury, medical, dental, optometric, psychological or chiropractic appointments

·       Funeral service of immediate family member 

·       Court appearance, probation, legal appointment or investigative hearing

• ·       Religious holiday, ceremony, or retreat
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Truancy:

·       Vacations, amusement park trips, out of town

·       Car trouble or no ride available

·       Celebrating birthdays

·       Parent illness or injury

·       Lack of sleep

The district is required by the state to intervene with students who either have excessive truancies (unexcused absences) or chronic absenteeism (unexcused absences, excused absences, tardies, and early outs). As a result the district will respond to excessive truancies and chronic absenteeism as follows:

Truancies:

·        3 unexcused absences - Warning letter 

·        6 unexcused absences - Letter #2 and SART meeting

·        Continued attendance concerns - SARB meeting

Chronic Absenteeism:

·       7 excused or unexcused absences or tardies - Warning letter

·       10 excused or unexcused absences or tardies - Letter #2

·       15 excused or unexcused absences or tardies - Letter #3 and SART meeting

·       Continued attendance concerns - SARB