Student Attendance & Family Support

California Education Code allows excused absences for reasons including, but not limited to:

• Student illness (including mental or behavioral health)
   
• Medical, dental, or mental health appointments
   
• Quarantine or public health orders
   
• Funerals or grieving immediate family members
   
• Religious observances or cultural events
   
• Court appearances
   
• Military family deployment-related events
   
• Other absences approved by a school administrator
   

Students with excused absences are given the opportunity to make up missed work and receive full credit when completed within a reasonable timeframe.

A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year, which equals approximately:

• 18 days in a school year, or
   
• 2 days per month
   

Important information for families:

• Chronic absenteeism includes both excused and unexcused absences
   
• It is not the same as truancy
   
• Attendance letters are required by the state and are meant to help schools and families partner early
   

Receiving a chronic absenteeism notice does not mean your child is in trouble; it is a signal for early support and collaboration.

Absences may be recorded as unexcused if:

• No reason is provided
   
• The reason does not meet the excused criteria
   
• A student is late more than 30 minutes without a valid excuse
   

Unexcused absences may impact attendance records and, in some cases, academic outcomes in accordance with district policy.

A student may be identified as truant if they:

• Are absent without a valid excuse for three full days in one school year, or
   
• Are late or absent more than 30 minutes three times without a valid excuse, or
   
• Any combination of the above
   

State law requires schools to notify families and offer meetings and supports when truancy thresholds are reached.

When your child is absent, please notify the school as soon as possible by:

• Sending a written note
   
• Calling or speaking with the school office
   
• Providing medical verification when required
   
• Reporting an Absence Online:

  Antelope Crossing Middle School
  Antelope Meadows Elementary School
  Barrett Ranch Elementary School
  Coyote Ridge Elementary School
  Creekview Ranch TK-8 School
  Heritage Oak Elementary School
  Olive Grove Elementary School
  Quail Glen Elementary School
  Silverado Middle School
  
  If an absence is planned, families are encouraged to notify the school in advance whenever possible.

Parents and guardians have five (5) school days from the date of an absence to provide a reason and clear the absence.

If an absence is not cleared within five school days, it will be recorded as unexcused, even if there was a valid reason.

If you are unsure whether an absence has been cleared, please contact your school office promptly.

State law requires schools to notify families when a student misses 10% or more of the school year, even if absences are excused. The letter is not a punishment—it is meant to encourage early communication and support.

Yes. Chronic absenteeism includes all absences, excused or unexcused. This is why schools monitor attendance closely and reach out early to support families.

No. Truancy refers only to unexcused absences. Chronic absenteeism is a broader measure that looks at the total number of days missed for any reason.

If a student has had 10 absences for illness in a school year, any additional illness-related absences must be verified by a physician.

Please contact your school office, counselor, or administrator. Schools can help problem-solve and connect families with available supports and resources.