Reporting an Absence

Parents/Guardians may excuse absences by calling the office at 707-967-2725, by texting the attendance cell phone at 707-299-7549, or by emailing Ms. Lorena at lgodinez@sthelenaunified.org. Parents/Guardians have (3) days to clear an absence. However, it is best to clear the absence the day it occurs. Parent correspondence regarding absences must include the specific date and/or periods missed and the reason for the absence. Note: Parent/Guardians have 72 hours to clear each day’s absence before it is considered an unexcused absence.

Excused Absences

Legally excused absences are for illness, medical appointments, funeral of an immediate family member or a court appearance only.  Students with excessive absences will be reported to the School Attendance and Review Board.

Unexcused Absences

Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to oversleeping, car trouble, a late ride, cutting class/school, unverified absences, and family vacations. Please note, unverified absences, including for personal reasons, are not excusable absences. There is no requirement for a teacher to give credit when the absence is unexcused. Students are responsible for knowing when they have been marked absent in class. If it is felt an absence was marked in error, email lgodinez@sthelenaunified.org

Students Needing to Leave School Early

If a student needs to leave campus during the school day, they will need to get an off-grounds pass from the office. Parents/guardians need to notify the office before school starts the day the absence will occur. It is the student’s responsibility to get the off-grounds pass from the office before school, during break or lunch. 

You may choose ONE of the following options to properly notify the Attendance Office:

• Email: lgodinez@sthelenaunified.org with the following information:
• Student’s name
• Time student needs to leave campus
• Reason for leaving
• Time returning to school
• Phone: 707-967-2725
• Texting: 707-299-7549
• Written Note: Have your student bring a note from a parent/guardian to the office in the morning before school begins with the information listed above.

Procedure

Once the above information has been received by the office:

• An off-grounds permit is created for your student; the teacher will then release the student at the appropriate time.
• Your student will then come to the office and the parent/guardian will sign the student out. The office will not telephone into a classroom directly to release a student, as we are respectful of instructional time.
• Finally, when a student is returning to campus, they are required to come to the office with a doctor’s note for re-admittance and will then be issued a pass back to class.
• Upon returning to campus, failing to acquire a re-admit pass back to class from the attendance office may result in an unexcused absence.

Tardies 

Students are expected to arrive at school on time; unexcused tardies are unacceptable. For all periods, students are expected to be in class when the tardy bell rings. 

5 total:                    

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Aeries Attendance Notes 
• ** May include detention 

10 total:        

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Aeries Attendance Notes 
• Tardy Intervention Meeting (TIM) meeting with family and student
• ** May include detention / Saturday School 

>10 total:     

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Aeries Attendance Notes 
• Tardy Intervention Meeting (TIM) meeting with family and student
• May include Saturday School 

Each 5 more:        

• Letter to parents/Guardian
• Saturday School
• Aeries Attendance Notes

When a student serves a consequence as an outcome of their Tardies, their count will start over. 

Planned Absences Request   

Planned absences are unexcused. It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with teachers for homework and/or make-up work. Students need to obtain a planned absence form from the office to be filled out and signed by parents and teachers. This form must be signed and returned to the office (3) days prior to the absence.

Short Term Independent Study  

No more than one short term independent study agreement (STIS) of no less than five (5) consecutive school days shall be granted annually by a site principal. A request for STIS of more than ten (10) consecutive days must be submitted directly to the Superintendent, who may grant STIS longer than ten (10) days annually in extraordinary circumstances. In no event shall STIS exceed twenty (20) consecutive days. STIS will not be available or approved during the months of December or January. (AR 6158)

Messages to Students 

We make every effort to deliver phone messages from parents in emergency situations. The office cannot guarantee delivery of messages to students received after 2:30 pm.

Illness

If you become ill during day, your teacher will send you to the office with a pass. Students must always check in with their teacher before coming to the office. Your parents will be contacted by the office staff, if necessary. Students are not to call their parents from the pay phone OR classroom. No medication of any kind will be given to student without a doctor’s written authorization (cards available in office). All medications, inhalers, etc. are kept in the office.

Medication at School – California Education Code 49423

Specific directions for the administration of the medication to be given at school must be included in a written statement from the health care provider clearly specifying the condition for which the drug shall be given, how it is given, dosage, and related information. A signed release from the parents for school personnel to administer any medication is required.

Medications must be brought to the school by a parent in the original container. No medication (prescription or nonprescription) may be transported by a student or be in the student’s possession at school.