COMMUNITY SCHOOLS & STUDENT SERVICES

Be Present: Attendance Matters Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is an excused absence? A: Excused absences are defined by the State of California. Absences due to illness, medical appointments, funerals, justifiable personal reasons including but not limited to funerals or court appearances are considered excused absences. Q: What is an unexcused absence? A: Unexcused absences are defined by the State of California. All absences that do not meet the definition of an excused absence are unexcused absences. Q: What is chronic absenteeism? A: Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% of the school days at any given attendance point. Chronic absence includes excused as well as unexcused absences. Q: What is truancy? A: A student is considered truant when they have 3 tardies of more than 30 minutes, 3 unexcused or unverified absences, or a combination thereof. Q: We had to go out of town for three days because my mother was hospitalized. When we returned I sent my child to school with a note to clear the absence. I just got a letter that said due to these absences my child was considered truant. How can this be when I gave the school a note? A: The note tells the school that the absence was verified by an adult. However, the State of California considers this type of absence an unexcused absence. Because your child was out with an unexcused absence, he meets the State’s definition of truant. The State requires school districts to send letters to parents of students with truant absences. This letter is called the 1st Notice of Truancy. Q: What should I do when my child receives a 1st Notice of Truancy Letter? A: You should contact the school to make sure all absences have been recorded correctly. Speak to the front office staff at your school and review the OUSD Parent Guide, to get more information about unexcused absences. Students who have more than 3 unexcused or unverified absences and/or 3 tardies of more than 30 minutes will receive this letter. Q: What happens if my child has more than 3 unexcused absences? A: Depending on the number of unexcused absences, the school may send you a letter called the 2nd Notice of Truancy requesting that you come to the school for a meeting to discuss your child’s attendance.

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