Attendance Policies & Supports

✅ Why Attendance Matters

• Regular attendance is key to academic success.

• Schools do not receive state funding for absences, even excused ones.

• Whenever possible, bring students to school after appointments.

• Always clear absences with a doctor's note or a call to the attendance office.

🏫 Excused Absences (Ed Code 48205)

Students are excused for:

• Illness or quarantine.

• Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointments.

• Funeral of immediate family (1 day in CA, up to 3 days out-of-state).

• Jury duty (for students 18+).

• Illness/medical appointments of their own child (if custodial parent).

• Religious holidays or retreats.

• Court appearances or educational conferences (with principal approval).

• Serving on an election precinct board.

• Family military deployment visits.

• Attending their own U.S. naturalization ceremony.

➡ Students must be allowed to complete missed work for full credit.

🚫 Unexcused Absences & Truancy

• Truant = 3 unexcused absences or tardies over 30 minutes.

• Chronic Truant = Absent without valid excuse for 10%+ of school days.

• Truancy may lead to referral to SARB and possible city fines (Anti-Truancy Ordinance in Pico Rivera).

📝 Early Release of Students

• Request early release via note or call to the office by 8:00 AM.

• Emergency releases allowed case-by-case.

• Only parents/guardians or emergency contacts may sign students out.

🏠 Residency & School Attendance Options

• Students must attend school in their district of residence unless:

  • On an inter-district/intra-district permit.

  • Participating in open enrollment.

  • Living with a caregiving adult in the district.

  • Foster placement or military-dependent exceptions.

• For help with permits or transfers, contact ERUSD Student Services: (562) 801-7380.

💡 Important Reminder

If your child has an ongoing medical condition affecting attendance, please notify the school immediately.

✅ Attendance Supports

1️⃣ Proactive Supports (Prevention & Encouragement)

• Attendance Incentive Programs
  Weekly, monthly, or quarterly rewards for classes/students with great attendance.
  (Ex: Extra recess, no homework pass, fun fridays, pizza parties, certificates)

• Positive Messaging & Reminders
  Regular ParentSquare posts, calls, and flyers emphasizing why attendance matters.

• Parent Education Workshops
  Informational sessions on the importance of attendance & strategies to support student routines.

• Home-School Connection Calls
  Positive "thank you" calls or emails for improved attendance, not just for absences.

• Transportation Support Referrals
  Helping families access community resources for transportation if that's a barrier.

• School Calendar of Important Dates
  Sharing non-attendance days in advance to help with planning appointments/travel.

2️⃣ Early Intervention Supports

• Attendance Letters & Personalized Outreach
  Sending attendance concern letters after 3, 5, and 10 absences. Following up with personal calls to offer help.

• Parent Meetings & Check-Ins
  One-on-one meetings with families to identify barriers and solutions.

• Student Attendance Goal Setting
  Setting small, achievable attendance goals with students and celebrating progress.

• Connecting Families to Support Services
  Referrals to counseling, health services, or family support programs.

• Morning Check-Ins for Frequent Late Students
  Simple daily greetings & accountability to help students with tardiness patterns.

3️⃣ Intensive Supports (For Chronic Absentees)

• School Attendance Review Team (SART) Meetings
  School-level meeting with family to develop a plan for improvement.

• School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Referrals
  District-level interventions for severe cases with community partners involved.

• Individualized Attendance Success Plans
  Tailored plans with strategies, supports, and progress monitoring.

• Home Visits (if applicable)
  As a supportive measure, not punitive.

4️⃣ Additional Supports

• Mental Health & Wellness Resources
  Addressing anxiety, social-emotional needs, or health issues that affect attendance.

• Basic Needs Supports
  Partnering with local orgs to support families facing housing, food, or clothing insecurities.

• Peer Mentoring Programs
  Older students mentoring younger students with chronic absenteeism.