Attendance Letters

Q: Why did I get a letter from the School notifying me of an attendance problem?

A: California Education Code requires public schools to track student attendance and notify parents at certain absence thresholds. Natomas Charter School will send letters (via email) once your student reaches 5, 10, and 15 days of absences.

Q: What should I do if I receive an attendance letter for my child?

A: Parents are encouraged to follow the suggestions and/or instructions contained in the notification email If your student has been absent due to a reported and excused illness, you do not need to respond to the letter.

Q: How are my student’s absences counted?

A: Your student’s total number of absences is made up of Excused and Unexcused absences combined.

Q: What happens when my student misses five (5) full days of school?

A: All students with five (5) full days of absence or the equivalent (excused or unexcused) will receive a “Truancy Classification Notice” email.

Q: What happens when my student misses ten (10) full days of school?

A: All students who miss ten (10) full school days or equivalent will receive a “Habitual Truant Classification Notice & Conference Request” notification email. Student may be placed on attendance watch and a formal Student Support Team (SST) meeting may be convened to support the student’s success. Students who are on attendance watch may not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular activities during the term of the attendance watch (field trips, sports, etc.). 

Q: What happens when my student misses fifteen (15) full days of school?

A: Students who miss fifteen (15) full school days or equivalent will receive a ‘Referral to SART Meeting” notification email. A School Attendance Review Team (SART) meeting will be convened. At 15 days of unexcused absences, students will be considered for involuntary disenrollment from the school.  When a student has had 15 absences in the school year for illness, any further absences for illness must be verified by a physician in order to be designated as “Excused” in the official record of attendance (AR 5113b). 

Q: What if my student misses 20 or more periods?

A: Students who are absent (excused or unexcused) for 20 or more periods in any given course during a semester may not receive credit for that course.