Whittier High School
ATTENDANCE OFFICE: (562) 698-8121 Ext. 2040 & 2041 2044
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
California laws require EVERYONE between the ages of 6 and 18 years old to attend school unless they have graduated from high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) – Education Code 48200. It is imperative that your child attends school every day. Absences for medical reasons and certain non-medical reasons are excused. Parents should notify the Attendance Office immediately of all absences. Please call the Attendance Office on the day of your student’s absence before 9:00 a.m. at 698-8121 ext. 2040, 2041 or 2044.
ABSENCES: STUDENTS MUST MAINTAIN 95% OF ATTENDANCE
**See attached document for excusable absences per California Educational Code 48205
a) When returning from an absence, a student either brings a note signed by a parent/guardian or parent phone call. Parents are encouraged to call the school by 9:00 a.m. to clear an absence. If an absence is not cleared within three (3) days a truancy will be issued and Saturday school will be required.
b) More than five (5) full days absences in a school semester is considered excessive.
c) Students are allowed 10 absences per year; a doctor’s note will be required for every absence proceeding the 10th
d) The school will not accept more than three (3) parental or guardian notes per semester excusing a student from being late to his or her first class of the day (i.e. car trouble, woke up late, traffic etc.)
e) Any student absent more than three consecutive days because of an illness must report to the Attendance Office before returning to class. A note from the doctor will be required upon return.
f) Extended non-medical absences (family emergency, vacations, or any other personal reason) WILL NOT be excused. Special circumstances need to be reported to the Attendance Coordinator for review and a decision will be made on an individual basis. Student will be assigned Saturday School to make up all unexcused absences.
g) SENIORS MUST CLEAR ALL UNEXCUSED AND TRUANCY ABSENCES BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. ALL SENIOR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DANCES, ARE A PRIVILEGE AND WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY PARTICIPATION TO ANY STUDENT.
Education Code 37223 States:
The governing board of any elementary, high school, or unified school district or any county superintendent of schools may maintain classes on Saturday or Sunday, or both.
The classes may include, but are not limited to, continuation classes, special day classes or mentally gifted minors, makeup classes for unexcused absences occurring during the week, and the programs of a regional occupational center or regional occupational program.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE:
Perfect attendance is no full day absences AND a combination of five (5) or less period absences/tardies per year. Those who have four years of perfect attendance will be rewarded with a senior yearbook
OFF-CAMPUS PASSES:
Please be aware that we DO NOT release any student by phone. Parent MUST come into the Attendance Office with identification. Due to the safety of all our students we DO NOT call students up prior to parent coming into the Attendance Office and showing proper identification.
a) Student must present signed note from parent/guardian to the Attendance Office before school, at nutrition, or at lunch. At that time an off-campus passes will be issued. PLEASE ALLOW 15-20 MINUTES FOR YOUR STUDENT(S) TO ARRIVE OUTSIDE OR TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE SCHOOL
b) If a parent/guardian is arriving to pick up a student that has not presented a note to the Attendance office, parent needs to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to the appointment time. Please keep in mind if student has Physical Education at that time it may take up to 30 minutes for student to arrive to the Attendance Office.
c) Students then show their off-campus pass to teacher and leaves at specified time.
TRUANCY:
a) Truancies are assigned when a student is absent from school/class without a valid excuse.
b) A student may lose (at teacher’s discretion) the privilege of making up missed work because of a truancy.
c) If a student is truant for any part of the school day a truancy citation under the Whittier Municipal Code 9.42.030 may be given by our School Resource Officer (Truancy fines range from $167.00 to $350.00).
d) Truancies will affect citizenship and can affect academic grades due to missed work) All full day truancies are assigned Saturday School.
VISITORS:
Student visitors are NOT permitted, at any time, on campus. All other visitors need to check-in at the front desk with security and provide proper identification before entering campus.
UNASSIGNED PERIOD(S) DURING SCHOOL DAY:
Student who have unassigned periods during the school day are expected to leave campus. NO LOITERING IS PERMITTED IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL!
PARENT PHONE CALLS:
We do not allow parents to call to speak with their student(s) nor leave messages. Transportation arrangements MUST be discussed and handled before school.
DELIVERING ITEMS TO STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL HOURS:
a) Parent/guardian, or any other family member or family friend that is on the emergency card can come to the front entrance with a valid ID (student will not be called out if person in not on the emergency card)
b) Items will be left at front table for student to pick up. WHS is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. BALLOONS, CAKES, FLOWERS OR ANY OTHER GIFTS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED. Please do not bring these items to be delivered.
SCHOOL DANCES:
a) Students requesting to participate in a school activity must obtain a dance clearance form and get appropriate signatures. Student must maintain 95% of attendance and should not have more than a total of four (4) period cuts or tardies (combined in all classes), no unexcused/unverified absences, and have no outstanding fees.
b) All-day truancies, unexcused/unverified absences, period cuts, and tardies must be cleared by attending Saturday School (or scheduled Sunday make-up class)
c) All assigned Saturdays Schools must be served before the student can purchase a dance ticket.
**ACTIVITIES ARE SCHOOL SPONSORED AND WHS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DENY PARTICIPATION TO ANY STUDENT.
