Attendance

ATTENDANCE 

Please review the following information when keeping your child home from school.

• Report absence via phone: 858-987-5100, ext. 3021 to report the absence as soon as possible
• Report absence online: Use this link to inform our staff of the absence 
• Tardy: A student is considered late to school if they are not in the classroom at the 7:45 start time. The student must go to the office and get a tardy slip to class. The teacher will not let the student into class without a tardy slip. A student coming to school late after an early morning appointment should go to the office for a tardy slip.
• Early Release of Students: Parents who wish to dismiss their children before school dismissal must sign a Permission to Leave School Grounds Early slip in the office. 

• Excused Absences: Tardies and absences are only considered excused for the following reasons...

• Illnesses such as vomiting, high fever, cough, cold, flu or contagious disease
• Medical/dental appointments
• Court appearances requiring the student's presence
• Attending the funeral of an immediate family member (parent, grandparent, sibling, or family member residing in the home)
• Religious Observance

• Planned Absence of 3+ Days (Ind. Study Contract): When a student is out for five or more days, with advance notice, we can make an independent study contract that can cover the student's attendance and academics. Please reach out to our front office staff for more information about this. 

Why attend school regularly?

Research consistently shows the profound impact of regular attendance:

• Children who attend school regularly perform 25% better in reading and math
• Missing just 10% of kindergarten is associated with lower academic performance in first grade
• By third grade, consistent attendance is directly linked to reading proficiency
• Students who attend regularly are twice as likely to graduate on time
• Even missing just one or two days per month significantly impacts learning
• Please be mindful that while some work can be made up after an absence, the classroom learning experience is unable to be replicated.

Establish good attendance habits:

• Maintain a regular bedtime and morning routine. A good night’s sleep and a calm morning can set the tone for the day.
• Plan ahead. Schedule medical appointments and family vacations outside of school hours or during school breaks (link to Master Calendar). This ensures that your student won’t miss learning time. If your student will miss an extended period of school, reach out to your school about independent study options.
• Stay Engaged. Regularly check in with your student about their school experiences and keep in touch with their teachers and counselors. This can help identify any potential issues that might cause reluctance or hesitancy in attending school.
• Emphasize the Importance of Attendance. Talk with your student about why going to school every day is crucial. Help them understand that apart from learning, school attendance also nurtures other essential life skills such as responsibility, determination, and the importance of hard work.
• Reach out for help. Let your student’s teacher, attendance clerk, counselor, or principal know if you are experiencing barriers or hardship in getting your child to school; there may be assistance available.
  

Financial Consideration:

• The vast majority of our school funding from the state is based on an Average Daily Attendance calculation. The more your student misses school, the more our school loses money to fund staff and curriculum to support all students. This leads to staffing shortages and less support for students and their families. With proactive planning and understanding, we can collectively ensure our students are given the best opportunities to succeed.
• If you know your child will have a planned, excused absence of 3+ days, please speak to the Front Office so they do not miss out on valuable learning!