Attendance
TARDINESS
In order to effectively prepare students for their future, we promote promptness, which means students are in their seat ready to work at the sound of the bell. Students coming in tardy disrupt the learning atmosphere of the class. Students will be considered tardy if they are not in class at their assigned places and prepared to participate in class activities when the bell rings. Parents will be notified if tardiness becomes excessive. A parent conference may be requested to help eliminate the tardiness. Students will also receive consequences for continued tardiness.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW
Compulsory education law states that every person between the ages of 6 and 18 years, not exempted, must attend school full-time. (EC48200) In an effort to assist families in finding ways to ensure prompt and consistent attendance in the McFarland Unified School District, students who are absent from school six times in a school year without having a good reason are in danger of being identified as a habitual truant and may be referred to the Kern County District Attorney’s office and the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). (Education Code 48260)
PUPIL ABSENCE VERIFICATION
Students have just two (2) days to clear an absence before receiving consequences. Students should bring their notes from their parent or guardian to the Attendance Office immediately upon arriving on campus after their absence. The Attendance Office is open before school at 7:00 a.m. and is open during lunch and after school. If the parent cannot call during the regular school hours, parents/guardians can leave a message after office hours by calling the school (792-3178).
Any time a student is absent from school for any reason, it is the obligation of the student to follow through on clarifying the reason for the absence. Infinite Campus, located on the web at http://icampus.mcfarland.k12.ca.us/campus/portal/mcfarland.jsp is available online for students and their parents to monitor attendance as well as other student records. If the absences(s) are not cleared within the two-day limit, consequences may include a warning, detention, parent contact, and/or suspension for defiance. Students with uncleared absences are in danger of being classified as habitual truants. Those students may be referred to SARB.
METHODS OF ABSENCE VERIFICATION
Reasons for excused absences (EC 48205)
1. Illness
2. Doctor visit
3. Quarantine
4. Funeral of immediate family
5. Court appearance
6. Child is sick
7. Justifiable personal reasons – justifiable personal reason must be pre-approved and specifically stated. All other absences are unexcused.
