The value of regular attendance cannot be overstated.  Consistent attendance is essential to a student’s educational success.  Parents and Sonora High Staff must work together to insure positive attendance patterns from all students.  In addition, the State of California requires you to attend school between the ages of 6 and 18, or until graduation.  It is in this context that the following policy is established:

1. A student shall be excused from school for the following reasons as specified in the Education Code:

• Illness
• Quarantine
• Medical or dental appointment
• Funeral for a member of the family
• Jury duty
• Justifiable personal reason, including, but not limited to

1. An appearance in court
2. Observance of a holiday or ceremony of his/her religion
3. Attendance at religious retreats
4. An employment conference when the pupil’s absence is requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the Principal or Vice Principal

• School Business and Short Term Independent Study
• Verified absences other than these will be marked “O” (Other) and will not be recognized as excused, and hence will count as an unexcused absence.
• All absences must be cleared within three (3) school days.  Absences can be cleared by the parent/guardian by either calling in to the attendance desk (532-5511 ext 132), or by writing a note and having the student deliver it to the attendance desk.  The phone call or note should include the student’s name, date of absence, and reason for absence.  Absences not cleared will be considered cuts.  One (1) hour of detention will be served for each period cut.  Repeated cuts will result in progressively more serious consequences.
• A pupil with an excused absence from school shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that can be reasonably provided and, upon satisfactory completion, shall be given full credit.  The teacher of any class shall determine, pursuant to the regulations of the governing school board, what assignments the pupil shall make up and in what period of time the pupil can reasonably complete those assignments (E.C. 48205).
• A teacher may assign a failing grade/no credit to any pupil whose UNEXCUSED absences equal or exceed seven (7) per semester.  (E.C. 49067(b))  Absences due to suspension will not be considered in reference to the seven-day absence policy.  Teachers may allow students to make up work for unexcused absences.

2. The pupil or the pupil’s parent will be provided a reasonable opportunity to explain the absences.  E.C. 49067(b)(1) Absences must be cleared within 3 school days or they will become  unexcused.
3. Failing grades assigned to the pupil on the basis of excessive unexcused absences must be identified in the pupil’s record.  E.C. 49067(b)(2) (A “NC” mark is recommended.)
4. After the 5^th unexcused absence from any one class, a letter will     be generated and sent to the parents warning them of the possibility of failing that class due to accumulating seven (7) or more unexcused absences.
5. After the accumulation of seven (7) or more unexcused absences the student and/or the parent will be allowed to petition for the student to be reinstated to “status of receiving credits.”  The petition must explain why the student should be considered for reinstatement.  (This requirement may be applied to all six of the student’s classes.)  The petition will be considered by the teacher of the class in question and an administrator and/or counselor.  If approved, the student will continue in a credit status until either the end of the semester (at which point the attendance policy begins anew) or until the attendance contract is broken, at which point the student will be assigned a NC (No Credit) mark for excessive unexcused absences.  Updated 8/00.

Any student absent from school for ten (10) or more days in a semester may be required by administration to provide a doctor’s note to clear any subsequent absences.  When this requirement is invoked, a meeting with parents/guardians will be requested.

All absences must be cleared within three (3) school days.  Absences not cleared will be considered cuts.  One (1) hour of detention will be served for each period cut.  Repeated cuts will result in progressively more serious consequences.

Being present for instruction in each class is the responsibility of each student who attends Sonora High School.  The staff and faculty believe that promptness is very important and must be emphasized in the curriculum.  Three (3) tardies will equal one (1) cut which will result in a one hour detention.  After the third tardy, each tardy will result in an additional hour of detention.  Students who are tardy by 20 minutes or more must report to the attendance office.  Any tardy of 20 minutes or more will count as an unexcused absence.

DEFINITION:  A student is considered tardy if he/she arrives to class after the bell.  Excessive tardiness will be considered defiance of authority.