Attendance Q&A

If your child misses school because of illness, please call the main office (510-879-2102) or message our attendance specialist, Ms. Letty, on ParentSquare to inform them why your child is out. Students that are repeatedly absent due to illness or medical concerns may be contacted by our school nurse to develop a medical plan. Families of students that are absent repeatedly may also be asked to come in for an attendance meeting.

We ask that families try to schedule appointments either before school or after school. We also provide health services on site such as flu shots, vision and hearing screenings and dental services. If you must go during school hours make sure to get a doctor’s note that will excuse your child from those missed hours and turn it in to the main office. If your child’s appointment is in the morning, make sure to bring your child to school after the appointment with a doctor’s note. If you child’s appointment is in the afternoon, make sure to bring your child to school in the morning and turn in a doctor’s note the following day (you can sign your child out early in the main office). Every minute of instruction counts, and we want to make sure they are not absent.

We ask that families schedule trips during OUSD breaks. If there is a family emergency that requires an extended absence you can request an Independent Study Plan (ISP) from your teacher or the Attendance Specialist for planned absences of five to fourteen consecutive days. A request should be made at least two weeks in advance. Your teacher and the Principal will review and approve your request based on the reason for planned absence and eligibility (satisfactory attendance and academic performance). If approved, you will be asked to come in to sign an Independent Study Plan contract and schoolwork will be provided for your student to ensure they continue learning.

Your child should report to the main office after 8:40am to retrieve a tardy slip. If your child arrives to school after 8:40 am your child will be marked as ‘Tardy’. If your child arrives to school after 9:00am your child will be marked as ‘More than 30 minutes tardy’; if your child accumulates 3 or more ‘More than 30 minutes tardy’ then your child will be receiving a Truancy letter in the mail from the school district and you may face district-level consequences.

If your child had 3 or more unexcused absences then your child will be receiving a Truancy letter in the mail from the school district and you may face district-level consequences. In order to not have unexcused absences, all absences must be notified by phone or in writing to the main office. Be aware that personal absences may be marked as unexcused (i.e. parent illness, vacation, oversleeping, no transportation, etc).

Every case is different. If you have questions or concerns about the letter(s) you received please speak with our attendance specialist in the main office.

Chronic absence is defined as missing 10 percent or greater of the total number of days enrolled during the school year for any reason. It includes both excused absences and unexcused absences, and ‘More than 30 minutes tardies’. For example, a student who has been enrolled for the first 30 school days at the beginning of the school year and has been absent three of those days is chronically absent. Each case is different and you should speak with our attendance specialist in the main office.