Attendance Policy

You are required to maintain good attendance; at least 91% Days Present

ATTENDANCE OFFICE:(562) 698-8121( Ext. 5040 )

Administrative Clerk, Senior:Alyssa Dinh( Ext. 5040 )

Student Engagement Specialist:Maria Gonzalez( Ext. 5042 )

Attendance Assistant:Aaron Bojorquez( Ext. 5041 )

Click here to email us

⁉️How to verify ANY absence; unverified (A) to any (*):

When the student is absent (full day) either:

Contact via telephone: (562) 698-8121 ext. 5040
Contact anyone explicitly from this page; emails are okay
Provide the student with a note upon returning
Complete our Absence Form

If you're the student, you must meet ALL requirements:

You (the student) are 18 years or older.
You (the student) completed the self-release form (18yo form); visit Attendance Office in-person to receive form.

When the student arrived late on campus or a class (or marked absent) either:

Reach out via telephone: (562) 698-8121 ext. 5040
Directly reach out to any contact found on this page; emails are accepted
Provide the student with a note upon arriving

If the student was present but was marked absent (A):

You (the student) must visit Attendance Office in-person to receive a copy of your attendance.
You (the student) must get the copy signed by your teacher for that class period.

Time to verify any absence is 7 school days before Truant (Y) is issued. Absolute time limit is 14 school days before changes are locked!

Recommendations:

Please verify absence in a timely manner; same day preferred
Please be factual as false information may lead to inaccuracy
🏝️Traveling out of state or town? Contact us!
⚕️Medical appointment? Tell us when! Avoid using up sick days (I), remember to get a note!
↔️Unavoidable excessive absences? Visit in-person or call us!
See ⚖️ATTENDANCE INTERVENTION PLAN to help reduce absences

Same way we call out for work; including the RESPONSIBILITY + URGENCY

❓Excessive Days Absent:

Excessive days absent:

3 or more full days back-to-back
5 or more full days in a semester
10 full Medical (I) days or more Medical Note (J) is required after each (I) in order to avoid being marked Truant (Y)
90% to 81% Days Present, administrative actions occur regardless of Attendance Codes; classified as Chronic Absentee
80% Days Present or less, legal & administrative actions occur; classified as Chronic Truant
See Saturday School to makeup absences
See ⚖️ATTENDANCE INTERVENTION PLAN to reduce excessive absences

If days absent are excessive, they can be marked as Truant (Y)

❓Truant (Y) Behaviors:

Not telling parent/guardian they will be absent
Arriving on campus >30 minutes without a valid excuse
"Ditching", disruptions, bad citizenship, or unprofessional behaviors
Excessive days absent (see section), 90% Days Present or less, classified as Chronic Absentee
If parent/guardian is uncooperative-difficult to contact (~5 attempts), refusal to provide reason, unprofessional behavior-with Attendance Office, can lead to Chronic Truant
See Discipline Policy

❓Saturday School:

Objective: To makeup attendance and class work. All students are welcomed even if not assigned.

Saturday School is assigned upon recommendation or request.
Saturday School is assigned for each Tardy (three-periods or more), Truancy (full day), or Unexcused code (three-periods or more).
Assigned students who ATTEND will be marked with the attendance code (3).
Assigned students who DO NOT attend may be assigned further Saturday School.
Assigned students who CANNOT attend their assigned date may reschedule.
See our Saturday School policy for more.

⚖️INTERVENTION PLAN:

Purpose: To promote good attendance and support student's success.

Considerations: A school year is 180 school days.

Recovery Opportunity: Student is assigned Saturday School (see policy); attending shows intention to improve.

Tier 1 (1-6 Days Absent):

Parent/Guardian receives a automatic digital notice or telephone call
The Attendance Office will reach out to verify the reason for any absences; including individuals on the Emergency Card
3 or more absences: Student is summoned in-person for a brief meeting to understand why they are absent and what motivates them to attend.
Lost Time from Education: 2,340 minutes; almost an entire 40-hour work week

Tier 2 (7-12 Days Absent):

Parent/Guardian receives a formal letter by mail and digital email
The Attendance Office will reach out to identify the root cause and barriers
Group Intervention: A mandatory in-person meeting hosted by the Dean of Students and Attendance Office. A support package is given with further information of Attendance policy and current legal standards
Lost Time from Education: 4,680 minutes; ~2 full work weeks

Tier 3 (13-17 Days Absent):

Action: SART (School Attendance Review Team) with Pioneer High School
Attendees: Student, Parent/Guardian, Assistance Principal of Guidance, School Resource Officer (S.R.O.), School Counselor & Intervention Counselor, School Social Worker
Outcome: Student is placed on a formal 30/60/90-day attendance contract to remain in "good standing" with Pioneer High School; the contract is personalized with additional goals as needed
Lost Time from Education: 6,630 minutes; nearly 3 full work weeks

Tier 4, District Referral (non-compliance):

Action: SARB (School Attendance Review Board) with the Whittier Union High School District
The board will conduct a formal review of the student's attendance history and situation
The board can make path recommendations; alternative education or school placement
Legal actions are taken per failure to comply with California Education Code

EVERY DAY COUNTS. EVERY STUDENT MATTERS.

🏫OFF-CAMPUS PERMITS:

Off-campus permits are issued for medical appointments and personal matters that cannot be handled after school hours.

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 permit will be issued. PLEASE ALLOW 10-15 MINUTES FOR STUDENT TO ARRIVE AT THE OFFICE.
Parents/guardians arriving to pick up a student should plan to arrive 30-40 minutes prior to the appointment time with a valid I.D. and must check-in with Security.
Please keep in mind if student has P.E. at the time that parents request to have student leave it may take up to 30 minutes for student to arrive at front office.

Released ONLY to those, or approved by, on the Emergency Card

✨GRADUATION AWARDS:

☺️IEP (Individualized Education Program) Students:

📇Attendance Codes:

This is a brief summary of attendance codes.
Code	Meaning
Needs Verification
A	Unverified Absence. Becomes Truant (Y) after 7 school days.
Excused
I	Medical, parent verified
J	Medical, doctor verified
F	Funeral / Loss in family
G	Army / Court / Federal agency's ( social security, etc. )
V	Excused Tardy, under 30 minutes
W	Excused Tardy, over 30 minutes
O	Other
Unexcused
X	Personal matter
T	Tardy, under 30 minutes
U	Tardy, over 30 minutes
S	Suspended
Y	Truancy
School Use
5	In Office
6	School Activity
7	Testing / Finals
B	Early Release