California law requires full-time attendance and punctuality of every student between 6 and 18 years of age. Schools are required to enforce the law and parents/guardians are responsible to compel the attendance of their children at school. As such, you can help your student build this habit so that they learn early that going to school on time, every day, is important by implementing the following routines at home: 

• Absences can be minimized by scheduling medical, dental, and other appointments after school or when school is not in session
• Trips should be planned when school is not in session. Plan family trips and vacations during school breaks and holidays, not during instructional school days.
• If your child does not want to go to school, work to determine why and work with your school and child to address concerns. 
• Send students to school unless they are truly exhibiting symptoms of illness.
  • Fever of 100.4° F or greater (not to return until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication)
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea (not to return until symptom free for 24 hours before returning)
  • Rash WITH fever or rashes of unknown origin
  • Upper respiratory infection and/or cold, especially if accompanied by thick or green/yellow nasal discharge and/or ear pain
  • Sore throat, swollen glands or stiff neck, especially if combined with fever
  • Known communicable diseases (i.e. Strep throat, pertussis)
  • Confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis with symptoms (may return if 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND symptoms are mild and improving)

School Attendance Review Team (SART)  The goal of the School Attendance Review Team (SART) is to support compulsory education laws. The SART serves as a school site intervention before the student and family are required to attend a formal hearing with the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

School Attendance Review Board (SARB) The School Attendance Review Board (SARB) is a multidisciplinary panel composed of school site and district personnel that work to address attendance and/or behavior problems. Specifically, the panel may include, but is not limited to a parent, school principal, district staff, school counselor, and district nurse.  The intent of SARB is to resolve school-related issues through the use of available school and community resources. Failure to meet with SARB or follow its directives may result in a referral to other San Diego County agencies, including the District Attorney’s Office for truancy mediation and/or prosecution.

Truancy A student is considered truant after three absences or three tardies of more than 30 minutes each time or any combination thereof and the absences or tardies are unexcused. After a student has been reported as a truant three or more times in a school year and the school has made a conscientious effort to meet with the family, the student is considered a habitual truant. A student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10% or more of the schooldays in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date, is considered a chronic truant. Unexcused absences are all absences that are not described in EC 48205 and AR 5113 – Absences and Excuses.

Chronic Absenteeism A student is considered a chronic absentee when they are absent on 10% or more of the school days in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date. Chronic absenteeism includes all absences – excused and unexcused – and is an important measure because excessive absences negatively impact academic achievement and student engagement. The school will make every effort to work with students who are identified as chronic absentees to improve attendance. The SART/SARB and other multidisciplinary teams may be convened to offer assistance, suggestions, and ongoing support for students that have a history of poor or irregular attendance.