When your child is absent from school for any reason, a WRITTEN NOTE from a parent or legal guardian is required upon his/her return to school. We cannot accept a phone call. The note may be given to the teacher or to the front office.

You may send an e-mail note to fsabsent@smmusd.org with the following information:
Name of student and grade (please enter this on the SUBJECT line of the e-mail);
Name of teacher, Date of absence(s), Specific reason for absence ("sick" is not an acceptable reason).

An example of acceptable note:
"Please excuse __________________(first and last name) from school on _________________(date/s) as he/she missed class due to ________________________(cold, flu, doctor's appointment, religious holiday, or other specific reason child missed school)."

Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________ Teacher & Room #___________________.

If your child accumulates three or more unexcused absences, he/she is considered a habitual truant and may be referred to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB), the District Attorney or the Probation Department.

Tardiness

To assist children in arriving to school on time, we have two bells that ring each morning, one at 8:27 and a final bell at 8:30. If children are tardy three times, it is equivalent to one full day of truancy. Please help your children to arrive on time. Teachers may implement a set of consequences for tardiness.

Lengthy Absences (Independent Study Contracts for a minimum of five missed days)

Independent Study Contracts are intended to provide continuing and special study if students must travel during the school year. To inquire about an Independent Study Contract, contact the office and your child's teacher at least 2 weeks before the requested leave. Be sure that you receive a copy of the contract before departing. On the day that your child returns to school, he/she must give the teacher the signed contract with the completed work attached. Every effort should be made NOT to have students travel during school time.