The Del Mar Union School District recognizes that regular school attendance plays a key role in student achievement.  In accordance with California Education Code, each child between the ages of 6 and 18 is subject to compulsory full-time education. Although exemptions to compulsory attendance may be granted in rare circumstances, as allowed by law, it is the responsibility of the District to ensure that students attend school regularly. All schools in the District will continue to participate in consistent monitoring of student attendance in order to confirm compliance with compulsory attendance laws.

 

While we acknowledge that students must stay home when they are sick and that some absences are unavoidable, every attempt should be made to ensure that students attend school daily. We encourage parents to restrict travel and family vacations to our scheduled school breaks. However, in the event that your student needs to be absent from school for more than five days, please contact your child’s principal prior to the absence. Your child’s principal will discuss possible options and determine whether or not the absence will be excused.

 

Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, any absence results in the loss of valuable instruction. Allowing work to be completed at home or independently is never a replacement for classroom instruction and unique shared learning experiences. We appreciate your support of the District’s goal to improve student attendance. With your collaboration, we will create an extraordinary school experience for all of our students.

 

Per Administrative Regulation 5113, a student’s absence shall be excused for the following reasons:

 

If your student will be gone between 5 and 20 school days for a planned trip, he/she should set up a short-term independent study contract with the school. To set up this contract, contact the school office at least five days prior to the start of the extended absence.

 

The Del Mar Union School District recognizes regular school attendance plays a key role in student achievement. California Education Code 48200 calls for each child between the ages of 6 and 18 to be subject to compulsory full-time education. Although exemptions to compulsory attendance may be granted in rare circumstances, as allowed by law, it is the responsibility of the District to ensure that students attend school regularly.

 

In this effort, the District affirms compliance with compulsory attendance laws by providing this information on accountability practices for student attendance. All schools within the Del Mar Union School District will participate in consistent monitoring of student attendance. The student information system has been programmed to generate attendance letters for individual students at prescribed intervals.

After three unexcused absences, unresolved absences, or unexcused tardies of more than 30 minutes, a letter will be sent to the home to make families aware of the attendance problem.  After four unexcused absences, unresolved absences, or unexcused tardies of more than 30 minutes, a second letter will be sent to the home asking parents to attend a School Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting at the school.   After five unexcused absences, unresolved absences, or unexcused tardies of more than 30 minutes, a third letter will be sent home informing parents that the student will be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).  All students will be afforded the three-letter process, regardless of current attendance status. This will ensure each student maximum opportunity to correct problematic patterns of attendance.

Del Mar Union School District partners with the San Dieguito Union High School District for SARB meetings. Meetings are scheduled monthly and, once referred, families are required by law to attend. The SARB supports schools by involving families in attempting to resolve student attendance problems. Individual cases are heard by a panel of professionals and may include law enforcement, a San Diego County Office of Education Child Welfare Officer, and District staff.

Please feel free to contact Director of Student Services, Jenni Huh, at 858.755.9301 ext. 3694 with questions or concerns.