Attendance Information

At Natomas Unified District, our mission is to encourage and support each student to attend school every day and arrive on time. We collaborate closely with students and their families to improve daily attendance and foster student engagement. Consistent school attendance is one of the most reliable indicators of student success.

Student success begins with regular attendance, which is a shared responsibility between the student, their family, and the school. According to the U.S. Department of Education, missing a single day of school can set a student back by two days, as they must catch up on missed learning while keeping up with new lessons simultaneously.

Regular school attendance is essential because it equips students with crucial knowledge and skills, enabling them to make informed decisions, pursue fulfilling careers, and contribute positively to society. School also promotes social interaction, emotional development, and a sense of community, helping students become well-rounded individuals.

Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children's success by promoting regular attendance. Consistent attendance is linked to higher academic achievement, stronger connections to the school and community, lower rates of delinquent and high-risk behavior, and increased participation in higher education.

As a parent, you are instrumental in establishing and maintaining your child's pattern of regular school attendance. The sooner a student develops this habit, the better they will perform throughout their academic career. Students who attend school regularly are the least likely to drop out.

Let's collaborate to ensure that every school day counts!
 

We ask that families support efforts to increase attendance by making a conscientious effort to: 

• Ensure students arrive at school and class on time everyday.
• Plan family vacations during non-school days and summer break.
• Try to schedule doctor appointments for your child after school hours.
• Bring your child to school before and after appointments that are scheduled during the school day.
• Only allow your child to stay home when he/she has a contagious illness or is too sick to attend school (When to Keep Kids Home from School)  

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Report your student’s absence directly to the school office as soon as possible. You may verify your student’s absence by phone call, voice message, in person, Absence web form located on the school website, or a written note. Please provide the following when reporting a student absence:

• First and last name
• Grade
• Date of absence
• Reason for the absence
• Your name and contact information
   

Under California State Law, an absence will be “excused” for the following reasons (This list is not exhaustive):

• Personal illness (Education Code 48205)
• Medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic appointments (Education Code 48205)
• Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction at the student’s place of worship or other suitable place away from school (Education Code 46014)
• Death in the student’s immediate family - 5 days of excused absence per incident (Education Code 48205)
• Other reasons authorized at the discretion of the principal or designee based on the student's specific circumstances (Education Code 48205, 48260)
   

When other than a nonlegal reason is given for student absence.  Examples of unexcused absences include:

• Family vacation
• Car problems
• Student overslept
• Family errands
• Student babysitting siblings 
• Parent fails to call school indicating a valid reason for the absence within 3 days 
• Student intentionally missed (“Cuts”) class
• When a student is picked up from school more than 30 minutes before the end of the school day without a valid reason
• When a student is Tardy to school more than 30 minutes without a valid reason
• When the student is suspended from school
   

Parents and Guardians can get access to real-time student information, such as monitoring attendance and viewing grades, with Infinite Campus Parent Portal. 

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Students can ride SacRT for free. The RydeFreeRT program offers fare-free transit for youth and students in grades TK through 12. With RydeFreeRT, youth can ride the entire SacRT transit network, including SacRT buses, light rail, and SmaRT Ride on-demand microtransit service for free! RydeFreeRT is available all day, any day of the week, all year during regular SacRT service hours. Student passes are available at all NUSD school sites. 

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Some Natomas Unified schools have established safe-walking groups with interest holders such as North Natomas Jibe, and similar initiatives to assist children and families who walk to and from school. To find out whether your school has started such an initiative, or to find out how you can start your own, talk to your school principal.

Set up a carpool. Talk with other parents in your child’s class to see if anyone is able to assist with rides.  
 

Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student who misses 10 percent or more of a school year for any reason. A student can become chronically absent by just missing 2 days of school each month.

Short-term independent study is an educational option that allows students to continue their education outside of the traditional classroom setting for a short period. This option is designed to accommodate students who need to be away from school for reasons such as travel, illness, or family obligations, but who still want to maintain their academic progress.

Requirements:

• Parents must request short-term independent study prior to the student's absence.
• The maximum number of days for short-term independent study is 15 cumulative school days in a school year.
• The independent study assigned work is due within one week of the student returning to school.
• The assigned work must be completed and graded by the teacher prior to the student receiving an Independent Study-Complete attendance code.
• If the student completes less than 50% of the work, or fails to turn the work in, they will receive an Independent Study-Incomplete attendance code, which counts as an unexcused absence. 
   

California Department of Education: Child Welfare & Attendance

ATTENDANCE WORKS