Attendance Policy

Our Philosophy
Both teachers and parents want students to attend school every day so that our students achieve their maximum potential. Because student attendance is a top priority, the Pruendale School staff carefully monitors attendance and holds both students and parents acccountable.

Kinds of Absences
California State Law defines three types of student absences:

1. Excused Absences

• Illness
• Funeral-immediate family
• Quarantine
• Medical appointment
• Court appearance
• Observance of religious holiday
• Immunization

2. Unexcused Absences-Students who are out of town, caring for a sick relative, or absent for any other reason except those listed above, have unexcused absences.

3. Truancies-Absences without parent permission. Any student who is absent from school, without parent permission for more than three days in one year is truant.

Excusing an Absence
Whenever a child is absent or tardy, the parent or guardian should either send a note or call the office to excuse the absence or tardy.

Attendance Policy
Our expectation is that all students will arrive on time and attend on a daily basis unless ill. The attitude that students develop during elementary school towards attendance directly affects their future attendance in middle and high school. Prunedale School’s attendance procedures for tardies and unexcused absences are listed below:

• STEP 1 - Each month the attendance records are reviewed by the principal and office staff. Any student with three or more tardies or unexcused absences in a month will receive a phone call or letter from the principal urging improvement and outlining proper procedure.
• STEP 2 - If an attendance problem continues for a second month (3 or more tardies or unexcused absences), a second letter is mailed home which informs the parent of possible action by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office is notified.
• STEP 3 - If the problem continues for a third month, a third letter is mailed to the parent. The District Attorney’s Office is notified and will then schedule a mediation conference with the parent or guardian.
• STEP 4 - If problem continues for fourth month, there will be a referral to the District Attorney for action.

Make-up Work
Teachers must allow students to make up tests and assignments missed during excused absences and field trips. Students have one day to make up work for each day of an excused absence. Teachers are not required to provide make-up work for unexcused absences, truancies, or suspensions.

Improving Attendance
The Prunedale Elementary School plan for increasing student attendance includes:

• Careful monitoring of student absences
• Systematic notification of unexcused or unverified absences
• Administrative contact with home and student
• Partnership with Monterey County District Attorney’s Truancy Mediation Program