Attendance & Truancy
School Attendance
At Metteer School we believe that, “All students learn every day.” The school experience not only provides opportunities for students to ask questions and receive assistance, but also allows students to benefit from the countless interactions with classmates in cooperative learning situations. Your child can only receive the benefit of these activities and the best possible education, when they are in school everyday.
California State Law states: "Every pupil must attend school punctually and regularly. Students are encouraged to maintain the best possible attendance, but not at the expense of their health or the health of others.”
Absences - Excused
The California Education Code states that the only valid excuses for absence or tardiness are:
- Illness
- Spending time with an immediate family member facing or returning from military deployment
- Having medical, dental or optometric services rendered
- Attending the funeral services of a member of the pupil's immediate family
If a note is not received, within 3-5 days, the absence will be marked unexcused. If you have further questions regarding absences, please contact the health office.
Absences - Unexcused
Absences or tardiness for reasons other than those listed under Excused Absences are not excused. Unexcused absences are considered truancies
and may be referred to the District Attorney's Office. We encourage all parents to schedule anything that would take students out of school for after school hours or during vacation time, and to have their children attend for at least part of the day when appointments are unavoidable.
WHEN YOUR CHILD RETURNS TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ABSENCE, YOU ARE TO CALL THE OFFICE OR SEND A NOTE FROM HOME INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
- YOUR CHILD'S FULL NAME
- DATE(s) OF ABSENCE(s)
- REASON FOR ABSENCE
- SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN
- TEACHER'S NAME OR ROOM NUMBER
Should your student be absent:
Call the school at (530) 527-9015 as soon as possible and by 9:00 AM to report the absence.
If we do not receive a phone call on the day of your child’s absence you will, in most cases, be contacted by our office.
Truancy Policy
By law, a student who misses three full days or is absent three times for more than 30 minutes without a valid excuse is a Truant and shall be reported to the Attendance Supervisor or to the superintendent of the
school district. (Education Code 48260)
Truancy Process
Third Unexcused Absence
First Truancy Letter is sent home and the student is reported as a
Truant to the Attendance Supervisor.
If absences continue:
Second Truancy Letter is sent home and reported to the Attendance Supervisor and CalWORKS. The school may meet with a parent or guardian.
If absences continue:
Third Truancy Letter is sent home and reported to the Attendance Supervisor and CalWORKS who may sanction benefits. The family is required to meet with the school and the student is classified as a Habitual Truant (Education Code 48262) and may be summoned to a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Hearing.
