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Attendance

Only through attendance and class participation do students achieve the benefits of our education program. We expect students to be in class and make attendance a top priority. Learning lost due to an absence can never be replaced. Regular attendance, being well-prepared for class, participating in class discussion and developing an appreciation for the views and abilities of other students helps students in school as well as prepares them for adulthood.

The primary rationale for a high attendance rate is the relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Teacher effectiveness is the strongest school-related determinant of student success, but chronic student absence reduces even the best teacher’s ability to provide continuity in learning. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance.

Every Day Counts

When our students miss school, they miss important instruction. In addition, when they are absent, Moorpark Unified School District (MUSD) does not receive State funding for that day regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused, as the State of California funds school districts based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA), not enrollment.

By simply increasing MUSD's attendance by 1%, our school district would gain an additional $500,000 in State revenue. This makes a huge difference in the programs and services we provide. 

If a student is in school, then MUSD collects a day’s ADA revenue from the State. Please consider this when scheduling doctor’s appointments and family trips, as bringing students to school for a partial day is better than not bringing them at all. That said, if children are sick, please keep them home until they are well.

Thank you for helping us make a difference.

Policies and Procedures

When a student is absent, parents should call the school (24 hour attendance line at (805) 378-6309 option 1 within 48 hours of the day of the absence to relate the cause of absence and to avoid it being recorded as “unexcused”. If a valid parent call is received, the student does not have to bring a note to clear the absence. If parents do not call the school, an excuse (written by the parent or guardian) must be presented to the office the first day that the student returns to school following an absence. Absences due to illness of 3 or more days may require a doctor's note. Parents/guardians are encouraged to schedule medical appointments at a time that will not result in loss of instructional time.  For more information please refer to the MUSD Parent Handbook.

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Excused Absences

Per Education Code Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:

  1. Due to the pupil’s illness.
  2. Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer.
  3. For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic services rendered.
  4. For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member of the pupil’s immediate family, so long as the absence is not more than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more than three days if the service is conducted outside California.
  5. For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of the pupil’s religion, and attendance at religious retreats.
  6. For the purpose of spending time with a member of the pupil’s immediate family, who is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined in Section 49701, and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from, deployment to a combat zone or combat support position. Absences granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be granted for a period of time to be determined at the discretion of the superintendent of the school district.

Unexcused Absences

Any absence for reasons other than those listed as Excused Absences are deemed unexcused. 

Tardiness

Tardies cause a disruption to class procedures as well as individual progress. Excused tardies are issued only for medical purposes. A detention may be issued if a student is tardy to class.

Make-up Coursework/Homework

Make-up assignments are not provided in advance. When students are absent they should contact a “study buddy”, or check the school/teacher(s) website so that they may keep current on their class work and homework. Students are allowed to make-up coursework and homework for planned absences that are deemed unexcused.  It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for make-up work with each teacher on the day they return to school. For all days missed, an equal number of days will be allowed for make-up.