Attendance » Reporting Absences

Reporting Absences

 

Attendance & Tardy Information

In Fountain Valley School District, student success starts with consistent attendance. To help your child excel at school, ensure they attend at least 96% of the school year—that’s a maximum of 8 absences during a 180-day school year. Missing just one day per month can put your child at a disadvantage compared to peers who are consistently present.

Reporting Absences

To report an absence, choose one of the following methods:

  • Email: [email protected].(This can be done 24 hours a day.)
  • Call the Office: 714-375-2816
  • Written Note: Provide a note when your child returns to school.

When reporting an absence, include the following information:

  • Student's full name
  • Date(s) of absence
  • Reason for the absence
  • Name of the person providing the information
  • Relationship to the child

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to arrive on time for school and each class period. Excused tardies include illness, medical or dental appointments, or other legally excused absences per Education Code 46010. Verification must be provided through a parent note or in-person explanation at the time of the tardy.

Examples of unexcused tardies include:

  • Oversleeping
  • Traffic delays
  • Missing the bus
  • Weather conditions

Consequences for Unexcused Tardies:

  • 1st–3rd Tardy: Warning (no detention)
  • 4th Tardy: 30-minute detention
  • 5th–6th Tardy: 60-minute detention
  • 7th Tardy: Saturday School
  • 8th Tardy: Case-by-case review by the principal (may include attendance contracts, loss of privileges, SARB referral, or District Attorney meeting).

Tardies reset at the start of each trimester.

Types of Absences

  • Excused Absences: Illness, medical/dental appointments, immediate family bereavement, quarantine, or immunization exclusion.
  • Unexcused Absences: Vacations, shopping, transportation issues, oversleeping, or negligence.
  • Truancies: Absences without parental knowledge or consent, leaving campus without permission, or staying out of class without authorization.

Note: Major truancy offenses will result in referral to the Fountain Valley School Attendance Review Board (SARB).

Illness at School

If a student becomes ill at school, they must:

  1. Request permission from a teacher to visit the student office.
  2. Report to the office, where staff will contact a parent or guardian for pickup if necessary.

Important:

  • Students must remain on campus unless released by the school office.
  • Students should not contact parents directly using personal devices; all communication must go through the office.

Important Notes

  • Students with unexcused absences are not allowed to participate in after-school activities on the day of the absence.
  • Students are responsible for completing all assignments and classwork missed during their absence.
  • Excused tardies must be verified with a note or in-person explanation at the time of arrival.
  • Missing the bus, oversleeping, traffic, and weather are not valid excuses for tardies.
  • Absences must be reported within two days of the child’s absence.
  • Absences without parent notification or written excuse are recorded as unexcused.
  • Absences for religious holidays must be reported before the date of the absence to be excused.
  • To request homework, email the teacher directly. Refer to the Staff Directory for teacher emails.