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Attendance Policy

Regular class attendance is essential for academic success. Students are expected to maintain a 90% or higher attendance rate to remain in good standing. This includes both excused and unexcused absences. Falling below this threshold will result in loss of extracurricular eligibility including athletics, dances, field trips, work permits, and other school activities.

 

Family & Guardian Communication

  • Guardians must monitor attendance via the Aeries portal or by calling the Attendance Office at (408) 201-6221 (8:00 AM–4:00 PM).
  • Email teachers directly to resolve attendance discrepancies; expect a response within 2 school days.
  • Automated email and text notifications (via ParentSquare) are sent when a student misses any class. Keep contact info up to date.
     

Tardy Policy

  • Minga & Tardies

Frequent tardiness reduces valuable learning time and late arrivals disrupt the flow of teaching and distract other students’ learning.  Knowing where students are during school hours is also vital for safety and accountability.  When a student is tardy to class, their attendance is recorded in Aeries, then students' tardies in Aeries will be uploaded to MiNGA.  Students and families will receive a MiNGA message alerting them of 4 tardies.  When a student is marked tardy 8 times, they will be assigned a lunch detention.  For every four tardies after that, the student will be assigned another lunch detention.  Unserved lunch detentions will lead to loss of privileges, assignment to Saturday Academy, and/or other further consequences. 

 

Unexcused Absences

The following are state-approved excuses: illness, medical appointments, funerals, religious observances, and court appearances.

  • 6 unexcused absences in a class = loss of extracurricular eligibility including athletics, dances, field trips, work permits, and other school activities.
  • 8 unexcused absences = potential loss of course credit (grade of F). Students are not dropped from the course. 

 

Excusing Absences

  • Call or visit the Attendance Office, please dial (408) 201-6221 at any time, day or night.  Attendance clerks are available from 8:00am-4:00pm or you can leave a voicemail at any time. For Spanish, please dial (408) 201-6200 ext. 41509.
  • Send a signed note, or email Noemi Gallardo gallardon@mhusd.org and Bianca Cardoza cardozab@mhusd.org.
  • Guardians have 3 school days to excuse an absence; after that, it remains unexcused.
  • Absences cannot be retroactively cleared at grading periods or before events like dances.
  • Chronic absences may require doctor’s verification.
     

Releasing Students During School

  • Submit early release requests before 8:00 AM via call, email, or signed note.
  • Except for extreme emergencies, class time will not be interrupted to call a student to the office to leave school.  
  • Guardians must be prepared to show a picture ID to verify information on the student’s emergency card when picking up a student to leave campus during the school day.  
  • Students must check out through the Attendance Office when leaving campus.  Failure to do so may lead to disciplinary action.  
  • Students will be given an off-campus pass when they leave.  
  • Students that park in the student parking lot must ask a campus monitor or Administrator to open the student driveway gate.

 

Make-Up Work Guidelines

  • 1–4 days: Email teachers for assignments. Teachers’ email addresses can be found on the school website. The student should always make arrangements with the teacher to make-up any missed quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, or lab work that was missed. Students have the same number of days as they were absent to complete the work.
  • 5–15 days: Short-term independent study contract – When a student knows in advance that they will be out for 5-15 consecutive days, a short-term independent study contract can be requested through the attendance office. Students can be on an independent study contract for a maximum of 15 days in one school year.  This is a formal agreement which includes all work that the student will miss. The teachers assign work for the number of days that the student will be absent, and the work is due the day the student returns. This contract must be requested two weeks prior to the absences occurring. The family should request this as soon as they know that the student will be out for 5-15 days. If the conditions of the independent study contract are not met, part or all of the attendance contract will be canceled, which will result in unexcused absences and could initiate the truancy process.  If this occurs, no further independent study contracts will be issued for the remainder of the year.  
  • 16+ days: Contact a counselor or administrator for alternatives.
     

Truancy Process

Begins after 3+ unexcused absences in any class and includes home notifications, visits, and meetings with school staff.