Attendance Information
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Regular, punctual attendance directly correlates to academic performance. Good attendance is a shared responsibility between the student and parent. We expect parents to send their children to school each day on time and to call in any absence within 3 school days. We expect students to arrive at each class on time, to stay at school and to discuss attendance issues with their parents.
Attendance Office FAQ's
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How does the office communicate attendance issues to parents?
- Automated phone call system—calls home each night that a student has been marked absent if the absence hasn’t already been cleared by the parent/guardian.
- Automated phone call system—calls home each night that a student has been marked tardy to class.
- Parents will be mailed copies of Saturday Work/Study Program assignments and attendance contracts.
- Student attendance information can be viewed on Q ParentConnect.
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What absences can be excused?
- California Education Code section 48205 and CVUSD board policies state that absences for the following reasons may be excused:
- Personal Illness,
- Quarantine,
- Medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic services,
- Funeral services of an immediate family member,
- Jury duty,
- Illness during school hours of a child to whom the student is a custodial parent,
- Service as a member of a precinct board,
- Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction, or
- Upon advance written request
- Appearance in court
- Attendance at funeral service
- Observation of a religious holiday or ceremony
- Attendance at a religious retreat not to exceed 8 hours per semester
- Attendance at an employment conference.
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Can absences for other reasons be excused?
- Absence for college visits may be excused ONLY when a parent/guardian/caretaker submits a written request one week PRIOR to the anticipated absence and receives approval from the Assistant Principal of Attendance and Student Welfare.
- Please send via email to mgodfrey@conejousd.org & mkorey@conejousd.org
- Approval will be based on the student’s attendance record and academic progress.
- Absence for college visits may be excused ONLY when a parent/guardian/caretaker submits a written request one week PRIOR to the anticipated absence and receives approval from the Assistant Principal of Attendance and Student Welfare.
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Which absences are "unexcused?"
- Absences for any reason not listed above are "unexcused/contacted." For example, family trips, non-TOHS athletic competitions, family emergencies, and transportation difficulty, are not reasons for which absences may be excused. When a parent/guardian/caretaker notifies the attendance office of the reason for absence before the absence occurs, the absence will be marked "unexcused."
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How do "unexcused" absences differ from "truancies?"
- It is essential to report ALL absences, both excused and unexcused, to the Attendance Office to prevent your student being marked truant. All absences must be reported by phone or in person.
- When a parent/guardian/caretaker does not call the attendance office within three school days, the absence becomes a truancy. Absences cannot be excused after three days.
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What are the eligibility requirements for an Off-Campus Pass (OCP)?
OFF-CAMPUS LUNCH PASS:
Permission to leave campus for lunch is a privilege to be earned through satisfactory citizenship, academic standing, and attendance. Eligibility will be determined using the following criteria:
1. 2.0 GPA in the previous semester.
2. No more than twelve (12) class periods TOTAL unexcused tardies, truancies, suspensions, or any combination thereof to his/her class following the lunch hour.
3. No suspensions.
4. No disciplinary issues related to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) such as vapes or vape pens.
Students who do not meet the criteria at any point after receiving their pass will have it revoked for the remainder of the semester. Once issued, the pass may be revoked if a student receives four (4) unexcused tardies, truancies, suspensions, or any combination thereof to his/her class following the lunch hour.
District policy requires that a parent must sign the off-campus lunch pass application in the presence of authorized school personnel or have the application notarized. The cards can be signed in the TOHS office during check-in or anytime that the office is open for business. The replacement fee for a lost OCP will be $25.00.
Any student who attempts to leave campus without a valid OCP will receive a Saturday Work Study. Any student benefiting from a forged or “loaned” OCP will receive a Saturday Work Study. All students involved in the above mentioned violations will lose their Off-Campus Pass for the remainder of the semester.
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What are the consequences for truancies or tardies?
- A Saturday Work/Study (SWS) will be assigned at 5 tardies to a single class, and student will be placed on a contract.
- Student will be placed on a contract at 3 truancies to a single class.
- Student may be drop/failed from a class after 8 truancies.
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How can parents help?
- Be proactive: check your child’s attendance regularly through the Q ParentConnect website. Contact the TOHS office if you need a PIN or password.
- When you receive an automated phone call regarding an absence, call the TOHS attendance line at (805) 496-6998 immediately to clear an absence. The line accepts messages 24 hours a day including weekends.
- If you believe a teacher has mistakenly marked your child absent, please contact that teacher directly.
- If your student has a fever or feels ill, keep the student home. Help your student differentiate between not feeling like coming to school and being too sick to attend school.
Additional Information
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LEAVING EARLY
- Parent/guardian must call the attendance office before the student leaves school with the reason and time of departure.
- Students must pick up a pass in the Attendance Office before leaving campus. Students may pick up the pass before school, during passing periods, at break time, or lunch so that the student is ready to leave on time. Students are summoned once a parent arrives to the Attendance Office.
- Students who leave campus without picking up the pass may be marked truant and may be subject to disciplinary action including a Saturday Work/Study.
LUNCH DEPARTURES
- Students WITHOUT an off-campus pass (OCP) leaving at lunch, and returning, may leave only when met in the office by a parent/guardian or other adult as designated by the parent/guardian. If circumstances preclude physically coming into the office, please be sure to relay this information at the time of the call as it will require administrative approval.
- After lunch absences by students WITH an off-campus pass (OCP) must be cleared within 3 school days (includes date of absence)
- Students who choose to leave campus for lunch assume FULL RESPONSIBILITY for RETURNING ON TIME. Depending upon the time of late arrival, an unexcused tardy or absence will be assigned.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCE POLICY
- Students with an absence rate of 10% or more may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
EXCESSIVE ILLNESS POLICY
- Per CVUSD policy, if a student misses 10 or more days of school due to illness or doctor appointments, parents may be required to provide a doctor’s note for each additional absence from school. If a student is absent 14 or more times, a doctor note will be required.
EMERGENCY CARDS
- Only those individuals listed as parent/guardian on the emergency card are authorized to report the students' late arrival, all day absence, or request early dismissal. Emergency contacts are used in case of emergency only.
ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATION for OUTDOOR SCHOOL, PARTICIPATION IN ASB ACTIVITIES, and WORK PERMIT ISSUANCE
- Several items require the attendance officer’s certification of satisfactory attendance. Students will be eligible for Outdoor School and participation in ASB activities if they are present and on time 90% or more of the school year. The same criteria will apply to students applying for work permits or for applications to work in the entertainment industry. Seniors failing any classes are not eligible for Outdoor School.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXTENDED ABSENCES
- If a student is unable to participate in physical education for 6 weeks or longer in a semester due to a documented injury or medical condition, he/she may be withdrawn from the class and be required to make up the class sometime in the future.
24 Hour Attendance Line
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Phone number:
805-496-6998
Michael Godfrey
Assistant Principal Attendance and Student Welfare