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Attendance

At Central Elementary School, we know that being in school every day is key to student success. When students attend regularly, they do better academically, build stronger relationships, and are more likely to stay on track for graduation. Our goal is to work together with families to promote healthy attendance habits and support every learner.

Why Attendance is Important

  • Students who miss just 2 days per month (excused or unexcused) are considered chronically absent, which can negatively impact academic growth.

  • Regular attendance builds routines, responsibility, and readiness for the future.

  • Attendance is more than a number—it's a sign of engagement, wellness, and support.

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

Chronic absenteeism means a student has missed 10% or more of the school year, or around 18 days total. These absences add up quickly and can lead to:

  • Falling behind in classwork

  • Lower test scores and grades

  • Difficulty staying connected to school

We monitor attendance closely and reach out to families to offer support when patterns of absenteeism are identified.

When Is an Absence Excused?

According to California Education Code (Section 48205), a student may be legally absent from school for the following reasons:

  • Illness (including mental or behavioral health)

  • Medical, dental, or vision appointments

  • Quarantine by a health official

  • Attending a funeral or grieving the loss of a loved one (up to 5 days)

  • Caring for a sick child (if the student is a custodial parent)

  • Religious or cultural ceremonies or holidays

  • Court appearances or legal obligations

  • Attending the student’s own naturalization or military entrance ceremony

  • Spending time with an immediate family member on military deployment

  • Attending educational conferences, college visits, or civic/political events (with prior notice)

  • Participating in safety planning or accessing victim support services after a traumatic incident

If your child needs to miss school for one of these reasons, please notify your school’s attendance office right away.

Reporting an Absence

Required

Please use this form to report your student’s absence.
 
Submit one form per student per absence. If you have any questions, please contact the school's attendance office.
Student's Full Namerequired
First Name
Middle (optional)
Last Name
Grade Levelrequired
Must contain a date in M/D/YYYY format
Parent/Guardian's Namerequired
First Name
Last Name
The phone number entered could not be formatted, but will still be saved upon submission.
Must contain a date in M/D/YYYY format
Type of Absencerequired
0 / 1000
Attach up to 3 files with a maximum size of 15MB
No file chosen
Upload doctor’s note, court letter, or any documentation to verify the absence.
Note: Uploaded files are only visible to school administrators and will be kept confidential in accordance with school and district privacy policies.