Education Code Section 48205 permits a pupil to be excused from school under certain circumstances: 

• Illness
• Medical, dental, optometry, or chiropractic services
• Quarantine
• Funeral of immediate family, limited to 1 day in the state, 3 days out of state
• Court appearance*
• Illness of custodial child*
• Any funeral attendance*
• Religious holiday or ceremony*
• Religious retreats limited to 4 hours per semester*
• Employment conferences*
• Other reason pursuant to board policy*

*Must be requested in writing by parent/guardian and approved by a district-designated official

Effective 1998-99, the law no longer provides apportionment for excused absences. However, attendance records must be kept to document compliance with compulsory attendance and teachers must report absences to the principal each day (at least once per month in adult education, ROC/P and continuation school) (ref. Title 5 CCR 401).

** Board Policy 5113: The policy stipulates that parents/guardians have three (3) days or seventy-two (72) hours to explain absences. After that time, the absence shall become a cut and detention will be issued and the decision will be final (i.e. no attendance appeals).

Absences must continue to be verified by district employees for compulsory attendance (ref. Title 5 CCR 421). The absences may be verified by:

• A school or public health nurse
• An attendance supervisor
• A physician
• A principal
•  A teacher

All other reasons will be considered unexcused or a "cut". Absent students shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during an excused absence that can reasonably be provided, and upon completion shall be given full credit. 

The teacher of any class from which a pupil is absent shall determine what assignments the pupil shall make up. Tests and assignments may be the same as those missed, or shall be reasonably equivalent to them as set forth in the Education Code.

The District will allow release time for students to participate in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction under E.C. 46014. A student’s absence will be considered verified, with full rights to make up tests and homework if the following conditions are complied with:

a)  The student has the written consent of his/her parent or guardian indicating the time the student is to be released from school. The written consent must be submitted to the school two days prior to release from school.

b)  Verification of attendance at the designated exercise is provided to the school on the first day after the absence.

c)  The student attends school on the day of the absence for at least the minimum day as defined by the Education Code: Grades 7-8 = 240 minutes.                       

WHEN RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ABSENCE OR IF THE STUDENT IS MORE THAN 10 MINUTES TARDY TO FIRST PERIOD, THE STUDENT SHOULD REPORT TO THE ATTENDANCE WINDOW.

The student should have a note from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for absence.

OR                 

The parent/guardian may call the attendance recorder (667-0904) or the main office during school hours (667-0881) to explain the absence. 

Absence and tardy notes must include the following information:

1. Student name (first and last)
2. Dates of absence or tardy
3. Reason for the absence or tardy
4. Signature of parent/guardian

Any student who becomes ill at school, needs to check with the Health Technician before leaving school or calling home.   Any student who needs to leave school for any reason must first check out at the Attendance office. Any student leaving campus without permission will receive a “cut”. 

Home and hospital instruction is provided to students who are unable to attend regular classes due to a temporary but extended medical disability. Applications are made through the school of attendance. Physician verification is required for non-special education students. Instruction is also provided to students hospitalized in a facility within the district. The school district where the student is confined to a medical facility, regardless of the location of the parent's residence, is responsible for providing the home teacher. For information, call Student Services at 667-0632 Ext. 2251.

Parents/guardians may request Short-Term Independent Study at their child's school of attendance.  The request must be in writing and approved by the site administrator prior to the absence.  The duration is a minimum of 5 consecutive school days up to and including 20 consecutive school days.  All student work shall be submitted upon return to receive academic and attendance credit.

The criteria to participate in Short-Term Independent Study reads, as follows:  vacation; funeral; out-of-state/country travel; religious purposes; child care issues; family emergencies; extended illness; pregnancy; custody situations, and/or; student safety issues.

eCademy Charter provides an independent study program for grades seven and eight.  Students meet once a week on an assigned day and time for two hours with the independent study teacher and receives standards-based instruction and assignments.  Independent study students are expected to spend the remainder of the school week at home completing assignments.  This program is for qualified students.  Contact the Turlock Junior High School administration for more information.  Students returning to Turlock Junior High School from eCademy Charter must contact the TJHS Assistant Principal of Student Services.