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Attendance

Every Day Counts! Attending school regularly is essential for students to gain the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive. Chronic absence, no matter its cause, has real-life consequences for students, families, and society as a whole. Research shows that starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, chronic absence—missing 10% of the academic year—can leave third graders unable to read proficiently, and sixth graders. struggling with coursework, and high school students are off track for graduation.

Reporting an Absence

It is important to clear an absence within 72 hours.  To clear an absence, you can:

  • Call our attendance secretary at (925)-458-3216 X 5202.  You may leave a voicemail if there is no answer.  Absences will be cleared upon listening to voicemails. 
  • Send a note to the office with your child
  • Send a Parent Square message 

Please don't forget to include the following in your message or note:

  • Child’s full name
  • Date of absence
  • Specific nature of the absence (illness, vacation, funeral, etc.)
  • Your relationship to the student
  • Please sign and date all notes

A total of 10 days of absences per year is considered excessive. Our office will mail absence letters to remind parents if absences are excessive as part of our “Every Day Counts” program. The MDUSD School Attendance and Reporting Board (SARB) is notified when a student is absent for an excessive number of days. 

Tardy to School

School begins at 8:00am.  Students arriving after 8:15am must report to the office for a tardy pass before they go to class. If a parent cannot escort the student to the office, a note from the parent is required. Late arrivals can only be excused for a medical/dental appointment or illness. 

Within the school day, a tardiness of 30 minutes or more without a valid excuse is considered truancy. 

Early Release from School

If a student must leave school early, please come to the main office to sign them out.  Students can only be picked up from the office.  Only individuals on a student's emergency card are allowed to take a student from school during the day.  Please be prepared to show valid identification.  MDUSD policy states that we release children only to the parent, guardian, or other previously authorized person designated in the emergency contacts on the day of release.

Independent Study

If a student must be absent for more than 5 consecutive school days for a reason other than illness, please obtain an Application and Contract for Independent Study from the office at least 10 days before the absence begins.  This gives teachers sufficient time to prepare assignments and to meet with students to explain them and their expectations.  

The completed assignments must be submitted to the main office ON THE DAY OF THE STUDENT’S RETURN.  After the assignments are reviewed by the teachers, the contract will be signed by an administrator.  Please call the school if the student will not return on the planned date. 

Home and Hospital

Students who must be absent from school for more than 3 weeks due to a medical condition are eligible for home instruction.  Contact the office to obtain a Home and Hospital application.  Parents fill out Part I, the request for home instruction, and the physician/family medical advisor completes Part II.  

Keep Your Child On Track - Ideas for keeping attendance positive by Attendance Works