FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the procedure for excusing absences? 

      Parents should complete their student's attendance Google Form up to 24 hours in advance

How does a student arrange to leave campus for personal or emergency reasons? 

      The student's parent/guardian may come to the Attendance Office with a valid ID to release a student after 10am. Prior to 10am, a parent may contact the attendance office via the Google Form. For emergency appointments, please call the Attendance Office immediately. Students leaving campus without a Blue Slip will be declared truant. Students should contact the Nurse, Attendance Office, or a Vice Principal if an emergency occurs.

My student is sick but they are already at school, how do they arrange to go home?

       Any student feeling unwell should report to the nurse’s office with a pass from their teacher. The nurse or health tech will check in with the student. If it is deemed that the student should go home, the nurse or health tech will contact home and arrange for a blue slip. 

How do I pre-arrange an absence where my student will be gone several days? 

      At least ten days in advance, students must have a parent/guardian contact the Attendance Office to obtain forms to be signed by teachers before the absence occurs. Students are encouraged to request a Contract for Independent Study for absences of five or more days. For absences in duration of less than five days, please contact individual teachers for assignments. Please complete the appropraite Google Form to record the absence.

What if a student moves over the summer or during the school year?  

      The parent/guardian must contact the Attendance Office and provide updated information.

What should a student do if they are late to school?

If a student is simply late to school (not do to an appointment , medical issue, etc.) they should report directly to class. The student will be marked tardy (T or W).
If a student is late to school due to an excused absence (which a parent/guardian has already reported to the attendance office) the student should sign in at the attendance office on the blue sheet and report to class. The student’s teacher may mark them tardy, however, the attendance office will override with a late/leave early code (L).

What if  a student or parent thinks PowerSchool attendance is wrong?

If a student or a parent/guardian recognized an error in their attendance or have a concern, they can go about resolving the issue through these steps: 

1. Student should login to PowerSchool to view details of which day and for what period the A, Z, T, U or W occurred. Parent can login to Parent Portal  using these directions

2. Student should reach out to their teacher to discuss a potential error.

3. Parent can contact the attendance office (via Google Form) to verify the absence. Submitting the form documents the reason provided. It does not guarantee that the attendance mark will be excused.

What absences are excused? 

Absences may be excused for reasons authorized by law and district policy, including:

• Personal physical, mental, or emotional illness

• Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointments

• Quarantine directed by a public health officer

• Funeral services for an immediate family member within legal time limits

• Court appearances or jury duty

• Permitted religious holidays, ceremonies, retreats, or instruction

• The student's naturalization ceremony

• Participation in a cultural ceremony or event

• Certain military-family circumstances

• A family emergency

• An approved college visit

• Another justifiable personal reason approved by the principal or designee

Which absences are unexcused?
Reasons that do not ordinarily qualify as excused include:

• Oversleeping or routine traffic

• Missing a ride of other avoidable transportation problem

• Vacations, recreational travel, or family outings

• Concerts, sporting events, or other entertainment activities

• Completing schoolwork, studying for another class, or avoiding an assessment

• Working at a job unless specifically authorized

• Arriving late without a qualifying reason

• Leaving campus without authorization

• Choosing not to attend school or a particular class

• A general explanation that does not establish a valid excuse

What do the attendance codes in PowerSchool mean?

• A = Unverified Absence

• B = Bus did not pick-up student

• C = Contract Independent Study (CIS)

• D = Detained

• E = Excused

• F = Field Trip

• G = No Credit Earned

• I = Illness

• K = Saturday School (make-up)

• L = Late or leave early (excused)

• M = Bereavement

• N = In-school Suspension

• R = Religious Holiday

• S = Suspended

• T = Late/Tardy (0-30 minutes late or leave early, unexcused)

• W = Missed more than 30 minutes, unexcused

• Z = Truant