Attendance

Every boy and girl is required by state law to attend school full time until age 16. A child is legally absent from school for illness, dental appointments, medical service or quarantine by a health official.

Schools are required by law to account for student absences. When a pupil returns to school following an absence, he/she must bring a note signed by a parent or guardian giving exact dates and reason for absence.

School districts no longer receive funding from the State of California for pupils who are absent from school. This includes all absences, even those related to illness, medical, or doctor appointments, or for the purpose of attending funeral services of a member of the immediate family.

In other words, schools will receive state funding only for the students who actually attend school. If you find it necessary to keep your child out of school for reasons other than an illness, we encourage you to send your child to school for at least a part of the day so that your child will not be counted absent and also will not miss out on important school assignments.