Skip To Main Content

Attendance

Attendance Procedures and Policies

Reporting Absences

Please report all student absences within 72 hours by calling the main office at (925) 687-1150 or emailing potratze@mdusd.org. Be sure to include:

  • Your child’s full name

  • Teacher’s name

  • Reason for the absence

Importance of Attendance

The Governing Board recognizes that regular attendance is vital to academic success. California law requires that children ages 6 to 18 attend school unless exempted by law. The District complies with all state attendance laws and will take appropriate steps to address chronic absences or truancy.

Excused Absences

Absences are excused for:

  • Illness or medical appointments

  • Family emergencies

  • Justifiable personal reasons as defined by law (Ed Code 46010, 48205, 48216)

Parents/guardians may be asked to provide medical verification for ongoing or excessive absences.

Whenever possible, please schedule medical appointments outside of school hours.

Religious Observance

Absences for religious instruction or exercises off school grounds may be excused in accordance with Education Code 46014 and district policy.

Tardiness

Check-In Procedure

  • All students must check in at the office when arriving late.

  • Grades 1–5:

    • Arriving before 8:30 a.m.: Go directly to class; the teacher will mark the late arrival.

    • Arriving after 8:30 a.m.: Report to the office for a tardy slip. Arrival time and reason will be recorded.

  • TK and Kindergarten: Parents may be required to call the office when a student is tardy.

Tardiness disrupts learning and causes missed instructional time. Please help your student develop punctual habits.

  • Tardies over 30 minutes are considered partial-day absences and require the same verification as full-day absences. (Ed Code 48260)

Verifying Absences

To verify an absence, call or email the office or send a written note. Include:

  • Student’s full name

  • Teacher’s name

  • Reason for and dates of absence

  • Your name and relationship to the student

Unverified absences or absences for unexcused reasons (e.g., vacations, transportation issues) will be marked as truancies.

Early Sign-Out

If your child must leave school early:

  • Parents/guardians must sign the student out in the office.

  • Students will be called from class after check-out is complete.

  • Only authorized individuals may sign out students. Written permission is required to release a student to anyone other than a parent/guardian.

  • Early sign-outs under 30 minutes = same policy as tardiness

  • Over 30 minutes = recorded as an absence

HomeLink Parent Portal

Access student attendance and complete the required Data Confirmation process via the HomeLink portal.

Independent Study Contracts

For planned absences of 5 days or more, please request an Independent Study Contract from the office at least two weeks in advance.

  • The teacher will assign work to be completed during the absence.

  • Completed work is due upon return and must be verified for attendance credit.

Note: Contracts cannot be issued until enrollment and class placement is finalized, typically 4–6 weeks into the school year.

Excessive Tardies

  • Letter 1: Sent after 5 tardies — informational

  • Letter 2: Sent after 10 tardies — school contact recommended

  • Letter 3: Sent after 15 tardies — possible referral to SART

Tardiness of over 30 minutes = partial-day absence
Chronic tardiness may result in a Student Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting.

Excessive Truancy

  • Absences not verified within 72 hours are considered truancies.

  • Even verified absences for unexcused reasons are truancies (e.g., vacations, oversleeping).

Truancy Letters

  • Letter 1: After 3 or more truancies

  • Letter 2: After 6 truancies – SART meeting required

  • Letter 3: After 9 truancies – Follow-up SART required

  • Continued truancy may lead to SARB referral (district-level review)

Student Attendance Review Team (SART)

SART is a school-site meeting to address chronic attendance issues. Attendees may include:

  • Parents/guardians

  • Site administrator

  • Attendance secretary

  • District Child Welfare Liaison (as needed)

  • Student (in some cases)

The team will review attendance records, identify barriers, and develop a plan to improve attendance. A signed SART agreement will be documented.

Student Attendance Review Board (SARB)

If attendance does not improve after SART, the case may be referred to SARB, which includes:

  • Representatives from the school, district, law enforcement, probation, social services, and the community

SARB may direct families to Truancy Court or the District Attorney if non-compliance continues, and legal action may follow if warranted.

If you have questions or need clarification on any of the above policies, please contact the main office at (925) 687-1150 or email potratze@mdusd.org. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s academic success through consistent school attendance.