Attendance Policy
Attendance
Excused Absences
The following attendance policy was adopted by the Lucia Mar Unified School District Board of Education.
Notwithstanding Education Code 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:
(1) Due to his or her illness.
(2) Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer.
(3) For the purpose of having medical, dental optometry, or chiropractic service rendered.
(4) For the purpose of attending funeral services of a member of his or her immediate family, as long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California, and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California.
(5) For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided by law.
(6) Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child of whom the pupil is the custodial parent.
(7) For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at religious retreats, or attendance at an employment conference, when the pupil’s absence has been requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative.
A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can reasonably be provided and, upon satisfactory completion within a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit. The teacher of any class from which a pupil is absent shall determine the tests and assignments reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence. For purposes of this section, attendance at religious retreats shall not exceed four hours per semester.
Unexcused Absences
All other absences are not excused and may be recorded as unexcused absences by the school. Unexcused absences may result in a referral to an administrator for disciplinary action.
Senior Attendance Rule - 90%
Seniors are required to maintain a minimum of 90% attendance during the school year. Seniors who fail to attend school at a 90% rate may not be allowed to participate in the year-end senior activities, including but not limited to Prom, Grad Nite, and Commencement Ceremony.
Chronic Truant
Any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuing education who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10 percent or more of the schooldays in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date, is deemed a chronic truant, provided that the appropriate school district officer or employee has complied with Sections 48260, 48260.5, 48261, 48262, 48263, and 48291. Chronic truants will be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) and are subject to the suspension and/or delay of their driving privilege per section 13202.7(s) of the California Vehicle Code, and/or placement in an alternative educational setting.
Tardies
Tardiness interferes with the instruction of all students. It is expected that all students respectfully arrive on time for all classes. Excused tardies are issued if a student returns from a medical or dental appointment during a period, or if the student is on a valid errand outside of the classroom with permission and a written pass. Students are responsible to make up work missed that period.
A student who is continually tardy will be referred to their administrator. Students may be assigned detention at lunch and/or break for tardiness. See the progressive disciplinary procedures for tardies outlined below: (Tardies are cumulative across all scheduled classes.)
*Consequences for tardies reset each semester.
*The consequences of any attendance issues are at the discretion of site administration.
Parent Responsibilities
Pursuant to California Education Code, it is the duty of each parent, guardian or person having control or custody of a minor, to compel and guarantee regular and prompt attendance to class. When a student is absent, the PARENT or GUARDIAN must contact the school to verify the reason for and the dates of the absence within three days.
Leaving School Early
A student must obtain a Permit to Leave Campus from the Attendance, Counseling, or Nurse’s office. Permits will be issued only if the parent/guardian has given verbal or written permission to the school. Students who leave early without first obtaining permission from the office will be assigned a “CUT” which may result in disciplinary action and/or assignment failure. Non-student drivers will only be released to adults listed in HomeLink and proper identification is required.
Closed Campus
Our campus is a CLOSED campus by action of the Board of Education. No student may leave during the school day without first obtaining a Permit to Leave Campus pass in the Administration Office. * The campus parking lot is off limits during school hours. *
Hall Pass
Students may not be out of class during instructional time without a hall pass from a high school staff member.
Short Term Independent Study Contract
If the student is going to be UNAVOIDABLY absent for more than three (3) consecutive school days for any reason, the Parent/Guardian can request a Short-Term Independent Study Contract (STISC). Requests for STISCs must be made at least five (5) school days prior to the first day of absence. Summary of requirements (for more information, see STISC request form):
- Student must have at least 2.0 Grade Point Average and no more than one (1) F
- Student must have no more than 18 periods of unexcused absence
- STISCs will not be issued during any type of State testing
- Maximum of two (2) contracts issued per school year
- Maximum of fourteen (14) days total per school year
- All work is due to the Attendance Office on the day that the student returns to school
- If plans change, additional days must be added to the agreement at least 5 school days prior to the contract’s starting date, or they will be coded as unexcused absences