Handbook Policies

All policies from the attendance section of our Student-Parent Handbook:

School Attendance

All students are expected to arrive on time by 7:45 a.m. and be in attendance daily. In the event that students need to stay home due to illness or extenuating circumstances, the following Attendance Policy applies:

  1. We ask that parents report the absence by 9 a.m. and no later than 11 a.m. on the day of the occurrence. Absences may be reported through one of the methods listed below.
  2. If a student is absent for three (3) or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required in order to record the absences as excused.
  3. Five or more consecutive unexcused absences or tardies can result in a student losing his/her enrollment, consistent with the Involuntary Removal Process below.

Excused/Unexcused Absences

Students are expected to attend school each day. Both Attendance Clerk and Teachers keep records of absences and tardiness, however, absences are reported directly to our Attendance Clerk.

Excused Absences

Assignments and/or activities not completed because of excused absences or tardies may be made up in the manner provided by the teacher. Assignments and/or activities not completed due to unexcused absences may not be made up. The student will receive zero credit.

The following are valid excuses for absences and tardiness:

  • Personal Illness
  • Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer
  • Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic that cannot be scheduled before or after school.
  • Participation in religious instruction or excises (no more than four excused school days per month)
  • Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family.
    • Excused absence in this instance shall be limited to one day if the service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state.
    • “Immediate family” shall be defined as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, spouse, son/son-in-law, daughter/daughter-in-law, brother, sister, or any relative living in the student’s household.
  • To permit the pupil to spend time with an immediate family who is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined in Education Code Section 49701, and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from, deployment to a combat zone or combat support position. Absences granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be granted for a period of time to be determined at the discretion of the Charter School.
  • For additional justifiable personal reasons, authorized at the discretion of a school administrator, based on the pupil’s circumstances. Reasons may include:
    • Appearance in court
    • Attendance at a funeral
    • Observation of a holiday or ceremony of the student’s religion
    • Attendance at religious retreats for no more than four hours during a semester
    • Attendance at the student’s naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen
  • In order to participate with a not-for-profit performing arts organization in a performance for a public-school pupil audience for a maximum of up to five days per school year provided the pupil’s parent or guardian provides a written note to the school authorities explaining the reason for the pupil’s absence.

Unexcused Absences

The following are invalid excuses for absences and tardiness:

  • Being out of town/vacation.
  • Parent sickness/appointment.
  • Sibling sickness/appointment.
  • No reason given.
  • Transportation trouble.
  • Traffic
  • Weather (unless advised not to leave the area).

Reporting Absences

The parent/legal guardian may report absences in one of three ways:

  • First- Parents may call the Charter School office at 951-275-8820, by 9 a.m. and no later than 11 a.m. each day of an absence and provide the following information:
    1. Full name (spell last name clearly)
    2. Grade level of student
    3. Teacher’s name
    4. Dates of student absence
    5. Reason for absence
    6. Name of person calling and relationship to the student (only parents and legal guardians may report a student’s absence)
  • Secondly- Students may bring a signed note from the parent or guardian on the day they return to school. Notes should contain the same information as given above. Please be sure student walks directly into the front office.
  • Finally- Parents may use the form available on the REACH website and must include the same information as given above.

Healthcare provider verification:

  • When excusing students for confidential medical services or verifying such appointments, Charter School staff shall not ask the purpose of such appointments but may contact a medical office to confirm the time of the appointment.
  • A healthcare provider’s note of illness will be accepted for any reported absence. When a student has had fourteen (14) absences in the school year for illness verified by methods listed above without a healthcare provider’s note, any further absences for illness must be verified by a healthcare provider.

Students must have absences cleared within 2 days of their return to school or the absence will be considered unexcused.