Attendance Policy Valencia High School

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Purpose: The Valencia High School staff believes there is a direct relationship between attendance and achievement. Students with good attendance achieve high grades, enjoy school, are successful in their pursuit of necessary credits for graduation, and learn positive habits that contribute to their personal and occupational success. It is the responsiblity of all parents to insure that their teenagers attend school every day they are not ill. Teachers, administrators, and other staff members are to help students appreciate and understand the value of good attendance.

For these reasons, the following attendance policies have been developed:

1. STUDENTS WHO MISS 15 DAYS FROM ANY CLASS DURING A SEMESTER ARE SUBJECT TO A FAILING GRADE IN THAT CLASS. Absences for legitimate school activities and authorized visits to a school office are not included as days absent. All other absences, including opportunity room, illness or other excused absences, are counted. The students will remain in the class for the remainder of the semester. Students who cause class disruptions will be moved to the Opportunity Room for the remainder of the semester.

2. If a student misses one or more class periods for any reason other than school related business during a school day, and it has not been excused by a parent/guardian, a phone call will be placed to the home via a computerized Phonemaster.

3. Parents/guardians are to call or write a note of excuse with 24 hours of absence or the absence will result in truancy. According to Education Code 48260, any student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for three or more days will be considered a truant. Parents/guardians should provide written medical, and or legal notices when possible. Excuses will not be accepted 10 school days after the absence. The absence will become a truancy for which school consequences may be assigned.

4. When a student is absent 6, 9, or 12 days from any class in one semester, a computer-generated letter will be sent home. Parents are encouraged to call the attendance office at 294-1188 ext. 408/409 if they would like specific information about their student's attendance record.

5. By the 12th absence, a contract will be signed specifying the maximum number of subsequent absences that will be allowed before a failing grade is issued in the course. By this time parent/guardian should have contacted Mrs. Moscoe (ext. 406) to discuss this extensive number of absences.

6. Students leaving campus for any reason must check out through the attendance or health office. Due to the closed campus policy, underclassman (9th and 10th) leaving between 11:50 am and 1:00 pm must be personally signed out by a parent or guardian.

The intent of this policy is to call to the attention of parents and students the importance of class attendance and provide for greater student accountability for make-up work. It is not our intent to punish students who are ill or have family emergencies.