In the Pleasanton Unified School District, regular and punctual school attendance of students is expected and encouraged, as students who attend school regularly have higher academic outcomes than those who are absent.
To foster a culture that values regular and timely attendance, we strive to work as a team with our families to support the success of our students, ensuring that students feel safe and connected to school. And while we recognize that there are many reasons and unique challenges that may lead to students missing school, we are seeking your mutual cooperation in helping your student attend school regularly and on time.
If you anticipate your student missing school for a duration of 3–15 school days, please contact your student's school site to learn more about an Independent Study Contract and review additional information in the PUSD Family Handbook(Board Policy 6158 and Administrative Regulation 6158).Additionally, we strongly encourage families to schedule vacations during school breaks so student attendance is maintained.
Absence from school shall be excusedas permitted by law, Board policy, and Administrative Regulations (Education Code 48205/Administrative Regulation (AR) 5113). Absences due to illness and medical appointments are considered excused absences as long as the school receives a phone call from a parent or guardian clearing the absence within 72 hours of the occurrence. All other absences are considered unexcused, per state law, even if a parent calls to report their student’s absence. Any tardy over 30 minutes, except for medical reasons, is also unexcused. Please review PUSD attendance policies here.
When a student has accumulated 3 instances of unexcused absences and/or tardies over 30 minutes, the truancy notification process isinitiated, as indicated by the chartbelow. Ifattendance does not improve after notification to the student and family, the school sites may hold School Attendance Review Team meetings and/or make referrals to the School Attendance Review Boardin an effort to support the student in attending school regularly and on time.
Truancy Notification
*Instance = any absence that is between 1 period through 1 full school day OR being tardy (late) to school of 30 minutes or more.
| Number of Instances of Unexcused Absence | Notification |
|---|---|
3 instances* of unexcused absence | 1st Truancy Notification Letter |
3 additional instances* of unexcused absence (6total instances) | 2nd Truancy Notification Letter |
3 additional instances* of unexcused absence (9total instances) | 3rd Truancy Notification Letter (Designated as Habitually Truant by the State) |
Additional Attendance Information
- School Attendance Review Team (SART)
- School Attendance Review Board (SARB)
- PUSD Resources that Support Improved Attendance
School Attendance Review Team (SART)
Students who are alert and ready to learn in school each day make the most of the learning opportunities offered to them. Attending school regularly starting in the early grades is critical to gaining the social, emotional, and academic skills needed to succeed. The main objective of the Student Attendance Review Team (SART) is to understand the reasons why students, at the school site level, are not attending school and to connect students and families to school and community resources to address these attendance concerns. Students will be referred to a PUSD Child Welfare and Attendance Specialist, who may arrange for a Student Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting, once they become identified as chronically absent, a habitual truant, or they have an excessive number of absences due to illness.
What to expect at a SART meeting:
- A SART meeting may include the following team members: School Administrator, Child Welfare and Attendance Specialist, student, parent/guardian, school counselor, teacher, and any other specified staff.
- A corrective action plan will be developed with input from the team members. The student will again be directed to attend all classes unless excused for legal reason.
When the school has exhausted all resources and a student's attendance has not improved, then a family may be referred to a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing.
School Attendance Review Board (SARB)
After a SART meeting has occurred at the school site level and attendance has not improved, a family may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearing. The SARB Chairperson will schedule a hearing before a panel and the student and parent/guardian are required to attend. The School Attendance Review Board addresses chronic absence and truancy. The mission of the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) is to help students stay in school, attend school regularly and graduate. SARB is a community-based effort to bring together resources to assist families with attendance and truancy matters.
At a SARB hearing, students and their parents will meet with a panel that may consist of a:
- SARB Chairperson
- Child Welfare and Attendance Specialist
- School Administrator
- School Social Worker
- School Counselor
- School District Health staff
- School Resource Officer
- Community MentalHealth Providers
Failure to comply with SARB recommendations and interventions may result in a furtherlegal action. SARB hearings are conducted by school districts throughout California and records are transferred between districts when students relocate to a new school.
The role of the Child Welfare & Attendance (CWA) Specialist is to assist and educate students, parents/guardians, and schools, engaging in personalized early outreach and promoting student success and achievement through consistent attendance. Please feel free to contact your school's assigned CWA with any questions or concerns about attendance.
Child Welfare & Attendance Specialist | Assigned Schools |
|---|---|
Margaret Surridge | Lydiksen Elementary, Mohr Elementary, Vintage Hills Elementary, Walnut Grove Elementary, Alisal Elementary, Donlon Elementary, Fairlands Elementary, and Foothill High School |
Sherry Konersman | Harvest Park Middle School, Amador Valley High School, PVA |
Michelle Spinola | Hearst Elementary, Valley View Elementary, Pleasanton Middle School, Hart Middle School, and Village High School |
PUSD Resources that Support Improved Attendance
- Developing healthy habits with attendance:Attendance Success (Elementary),Attendance Success (Middle and High School)
- Connect with your school site Child Welfare and Attendance Specialists
- Assistance with internet connections and devices:Device Request and Technology Support
- We can provide counseling, health, and mental health service referrals for your student:PUSD Wellness Website
- Assistance with meals can be found on ourChild Nutrition Servicespage
- Additional school and community based resources:COVID-19 Resources/COVID-19 Recursos, School Social Worker Resources
