Definition of a Truant

School attendance is the responsibility of the student and the parent/guardian. It is important that students arrive at school everyday they can, so that they can maximize their learning. 

The California Legislature defined a truant in very precise language. In summary, it states that a student missing more than 30 minutes of instruction without an excuse three times during the school year must be classified as a truant and reported to the proper school authority. (EC 48260)

Students and parents are to be aware that there are only seven (7) excusable reasons for missing school. A student's absence shall be excused for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness (EC 48205) * A note from the doctor will be required after three absences due to illness.

2. Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer (EC 48 205)

3. *Medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic appointments (EC 48205)

4. Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family (EC 48205)

   1. Excused absence in this instance shall be limited to one day if the service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state. (EC 48205)

   2. "Immediate family" shall be defined as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, spouse, son, daughter, brother, sister or any relative living in the student's immediate household. (EC 4519 4, 48205)

5. Jury duty in the manner provided by law (EC 48205)

6. The illness o r medical appointment during school hours of a child to whom the student is the custodial parent (EC 48205)

7. For justifiable personal reasons such as appearance in court, a funeral, his/ her religion's holiday, religious retreat, other reasons specified by law (EC 48205 (a) (7)

* School Policy requires that a student bring a signed note from the practitioner indicating the time and duration of the appointment. All absences, other than those listed above, are "unexcused" or fall under the category of a "cut" and students will receive disciplinary action.

Juniors and Seniors only: Juniors and Seniors will be allowed 2 days each year of excused absences to attend college visits and/ or orientations. They must bring proof of attendance in the form of entrance exam results and/or an academic advisement sheet from a counselor.

Method of Excusing/Verifying Absences 

On days that a student is ill, or not able to attend school, a parent/ guardian must call the 24-hour attendance line ((530) 787-3405) ext. 298 to report the reason for the absence. Any student arriving 30+ late (considered as an absence) to school needs a parent/ guardian to call the school at (530) 787-3405 ext. 200 or send a note with the student when they arrive at school.

Please note absences must be cleared within 48 hours of a student's return to classes. Any absence not cleared will be marked as " Unexcused". On the 3rd day or 21 periods of Unexcused Absences you will be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board.

Make-Up Work 

A student with an excused absence from school shall be allowed to complete all assignments missed during the absence and, upon satisfactory completion, be given full credit. The minimum number of days allowed for such make-up is equivalent to the number of days the student has been absent. The assignments shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil missed during the absence. A pupil may not have his or her grade reduced or lose academic credit for any excused absence when missed assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time. (EC 48205) Truants do not have the right to make up assignments or exams.

Arriving Late to School

Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. Students arriving late are required to report to the office for a tardy slip. As with absences, excused tardies are limited in their scope. Students receiving 3 or more unexcused tardies may be subject to disciplinary consequences. (See section on Truancy)

Short Term Independent Study 

Short term independent study may be an option for students who will be absent five (5) consecutive days or more, but less than fifteen (15) days. By applying for short term independent study and completing the assigned work, students will maintain a clear attendance record. Parents must complete and submit the request for STIS. Teachers may provide work during the absence. All student work is to be submitted on the day of return to the attendance secretary. STIS will only be permitted once per semester with an application submitted to the office 5 school days before the first day of absence . STIS will not be granted during finals week.

Truancy (Full Day)

Students absent without a valid excuse for more than 3 days in one school year shall be classified as truant. A truancy letter will be sent home. After the first truancy, students will receive truancy letters for each additional day of absence. If a student receives 3 truancy letters, he/she is referred to the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) for appropriate legal action. Students who have accumulated 10 days of absence, excused, unexcused, or a combination thereof, will be referred to SARB as Chronically Absent. Interdistrict agreements may be revoked if standard attendance guidelines are not maintained.

Home and Hospital 

Esparto Unified School District will provide a home teaching service for any student who, as a result of illness  or injury, is instructed by a physician to remain at home or in the hospital  for  a period  of more  than  two  weeks.  In order to place a student in Home and Hospital, a parent  or  guardian must  provide a physician's letter requesting home teaching for the student. The letter will be kept in file at the school, and a home teacher will be assigned.

Off Campus Passes 

If a student should have to leave the campus during the school day for any reason other than lunch, the student MUST first report to the Attendance Office with a verification of the reason for leaving campus. The student will be issued an "Off-Campus" pass. This pass must be returned to the Attendance Office when the student returns to campus. Failure to check in or out will result in the student receiving a "CUT" for all classes missed. Parents/Guardians picking up students during the school day must notify the office before the student leaves campus.

Brunch & Lunch

There is a ten-minute mid-morning snack period . Students may NOT leave campus during this time. The school parking lot is off-limits at this time .

To encourage regular attendance and academic achievement, Esparto High School will set the following guidelines for off-campus lunch privileges grades (9-12). The intent of this policy is to discourage frequent absences for minor illnesses or discomfort (stomach ache, headache), not to punish students who are seriously ill or have suffered a catastrophic illness/ loss.

1. Students who fail to maintain at least 85% attendance may have their right to off campus lunch rescinded.  Parents  will  receive  a letter in  the mail notifying them of the rescinded privilege.Students may have the privilege  reinstated by  attending  one Saturday school. 

2. Any student with habitual tardy issues may have their off-campus lunch privilege rescinded . Parents will receive a letter in the mail notifying them of the rescinded privilege. Students may have the privilege reinstated by attending Saturday school.

3. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA with no F's. Eligibility for off-campus lunch privileges will be reviewed at the grading periods coinciding with athletic eligibility. Students will lose the off- campus lunch privilege until the following grading period.