Attendance
Attendance
Did You Know?
September is Attendance Awareness Month, because absenteeism in the beginning of the school year can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Studies show that students who miss 2-4 days in September were 5 times more likely to be chronically absent than students who were absent fewer than 2 days. Parents can support their students by encouraging them to start the year off strong with consistent attendance to set them up for success throughout the rest of the school year.
If there is something that is preventing your student from attending school, you can reach out to your school’s Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison (CWA). Part of their role is to help you overcome obstacles that stand in the way of attendance by troubleshooting issues and connecting you with resources in the community. As a district, we value attendance and want to partner with you in getting your students to school.
Students are to arrive NO EARLIER than 10 minutes before class starts and are to be picked up promptly after school is dismissed.
An emergency card must be on file for every student attending Mohr. Students are not considered enrolled until their card is on file. STUDENTS WILL ONLY BE RELEASED TO ADULTS LISTED ON THE EMERGENCY CARD. We ask that you list only local adults. Written notes and phone calls are not accepted for release of any child. Names must be listed on the emergency card. If at any time you need to change information on the card please do so in person. FOR YOUR CHILD'S WELFARE PLEASE KEEP INFORMATION CURRENT.
All students are expected to attend school and be on time each day that classes are in session. If your child is going to be absent or tardy, you are required to call the attendance line the day of the absence.
State your child’s name, teacher, reason for absence, and expected length of absence. Prolonged illness or communicable diseases should be reported to the school office as soon as it is diagnosed.
Please note that clearing an absence or tardy does not necessarily mean the absence is excused. Pursuant to California Education Code, a student's absence may only be marked excused for the following reasons:
- Illness, medical appointments
- Court appearances
- Religious holidays
- Funeral (for immediate family members, one day if in California, three days if out of California)
- Independent Study Contract (five days or more)
- Other pre-approved justifiable reason (non-vacation)
If you know ahead of time that your student will be missing school for other justifiable reasons (non-vacation), please submit a request in writing to the Principal 2 weeks in advance for consideration. Approval is determined on a case by case basis.
STATE FUNDING FOR ABSENCES
Please note that we do not collect funding for students who are absent, excused or unexcused.
TARDY POLICY
Any student who arrives after the start of the school day (after the second bell) should report to the office and receive an admittance slip to class. A note or phone call is required when a student is tardy. Once a student is tardy for 30 minutes or more, the tardy must be determined as excused or unexcused and may result in a truancy letter (see excused absences above).
Although students are allowed to leave school during hours for medical or dental appointments, this is not encouraged. In order to protect each child who needs to leave the school before dismissal time, the parent or an adult listed on the emergency card must personally come to the office and sign the student out. Students will not be released to walk home on a phone call.
If an emergency or unavoidable situation necessitates you to remove your child from school for any given period of time, please notify the teacher as soon as possible. An Independent Study contract will be provided to help your child keep up with their class work. Vacations during school time are discouraged as it interferes with the student's educational program.