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Attendance and Tardy Policy Students who are habitually tardy are disruptive and compromise the academic integrity of the classroom. Students who do not attend school regularly are showing that they do not care about their education and would rather be somewhere else. Accommodations can be made for those students who do not want to be here; we can transfer them to a school better suited to their needs and learning styles. By removing these students from our rolls, we can open seats, allowing students who do want to be here an opportunity to attend. It is unfortunate that we have to have an attendance policy that some may consider strict. However, there are students who will skip school and have no regard for being on time. There are also parents who will lie for their students when they skip school. The law says students must be in school and the State Education code defines a habitual truant as any student who misses more than three days. Your student will not learn all of the material if he or she is not in class every day. Absences The State of California lists 6 valid reasons for students to miss school. Education Code Title V, Section 420 provides that when verified the following absences will be excused:
These absences must be verified through a note from the parent/guardian, teacher or doctor. If your child is absent, call us before 9:30 a.m. If phone contact is impossible a note of explanation must be sent with the student the first day back to school and taken to the attendance window prior to the start of the school day. Absences that are not verified by a signed written verification or a call into the attendance office (220-4053) will generate an automated call home notifying the household. The attendance clerk will follow up with an additional call on any absences still not verified. If no verification is received a letter will be given to the student who will be instructed to bring the letter back with a reason for their absence and a parent/guardian signature the very next day, or a Saturday School will be issued to the student.
Illnesses up to three days may be verified by the parent. Illnesses of longer duration or that are chronic and cause the student to miss a few days each week or month will require a doctor’s note. Students are expected to have great attendance while attending Walker. Any student who misses more than eighteen (18) class periods or days of school will NOT be eligible to participate in the promotion ceremony. Students can make up missed days of school by serving a Saturday School. Those students will need to speak to their assistant principal. Walker Junior High Attendance Phone Number: 714-220-4053 (24 Hour Voice Line/7 days a week) This phone number is designated for all attendance calls, including tardies, absences, and/or release form school. HOMEWORK REQUESTS: If a student has been absent due to an illness for three (3) or more days, a request for homework can be phoned into the office (220-4053) by 8:30 a.m. on the third day, to be picked up between 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. on the next day. When students accumulate more than 15 UNEXCUSED absences they will receive a failing course grade for that semester. An UNVERIFIED ABSENCE IS THE SAME AS UNEXCUSED. The teacher’s individual policy with regards to making up work after excused absences will be found in their class curriculum letter/syllabus. Missed assignments and exams due to UNEXCUSED absences cannot be made up. The school will take reasonable action in attempting to notify the parent of student’s unexcused absences. The school district will send letters home after 6 and 12 absences respectively. Habitual truants WILL BE referred to the School Attendance Review Board for consideration by the District Attorney. EARLY RELEASE: If your child needs to leave school early, send a note with the student to be taken to the attendance window before the start of the school day. They will be given their early release permit at that time. Parents/ Guardians who come into the office asking for their student will need to wait until the beginning of the next available class period the have their child released. Parents/ Guardians who DID NOT send a note with the student at the beginning of the day and HAS to take the student out of school needs to call the ATTENDANCE OFFICE (714) 220-4053 as soon as the parent/ guardian knows that his/her student must leave. Educating your student is our top priority. In keeping with this policy, we are significantly reducing classroom disruptions and protecting / maximizing the instructional minutes. You must come to the office to sign your student out of school. Tardiness Tardiness creates a significant disruption to the educational process. Tardiness is not acceptable. Absenteeism and tardiness may result in the reduction of the student’s grade in the classes missed. Students who arrive late for school must report to the attendance window where they will be assigned a detention which will serve as their pass to class. Three tardies will equal one day of UNEXCUSED absence. Students who accumulate ten tardies will be required to have a PARENT conference and they will be placed on an attendance/behavior contract. NO EXCUSES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR FIRST PERIOD TARDIES. If students have difficulty getting to school on time they may need to wake up earlier or make other arrangements. Technically, they have had all night to get to school. (Car trouble, day care, transportation of other students, and parent work schedules will not serve to excuse tardies to school.) Please help your student plan ahead so that they get to school on time. Only notes from teachers or staff will be accepted to excuse tardy students during the school day. WALKER JUNIOR HIGH IS A CLOSED CAMPUS AND STUDENTS CANNOT LEAVE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN CLEARED THROUGH THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE. Consequences for Tardiness/Absenteeism The consequence for being tardy will be:
Habitual truants and their parents will meet with the attendance administrator and the student will be placed on a behavior contract. Continued truancy will result in a referral to the School Attendance Review Board. Continued truancy, after meeting with the School Attendance Review Board, may result in a transfer out of Walker Junior High School and a referral to the District Attorney. FOR YOUR INFORMATION There is a direct correlation between positive attendance and positive grades. Most tardiness occurs first period and right after lunch. With five days in the week, 20 absences is the equivalent of missing ONE MONTH of school!!! PLEASE plan family vacations around school. |
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