McKinley Attendance Policy
"It's not okay to be away!"

Absences
Every time your child is absent we ask that you call the office that morning at 310-828-5011 ext. 121. We do ask that you make every effort to call, but if you are unable to, please send a note when the student returns. McKinley School receives funding from the state based on daily attendance. Every time your student misses school regardless of the reason we lose state funds. Illnesses are unavoidable but vacations and day trips during school should be avoided. If your child is going to be absent for reasons other than illness for 5 or more days, there is an Independent Study Program that she/he can use to keep up with her/his studies. Please speak to the office and your child's teacher a week in advance of the absence to arrange for this. The school may receive funds if the Independent Study is completed.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District as well as McKinley School monitors excessive absences. You may also receive notices from the school district office or McKinley School advising you that you are not in compliance with CA state mandatory attendance laws. For monitoring purposes, excused absences constitute illness, (excessive or chronic illnesses require documentation from your doctor) medical or dental appointments (with a note from the doctor or dentist) religious holidays and bereavement. If your child's record indicates excessive absences, you may be asked to provide a doctor's note to verify illnesses. We work with the County District Attorney's office to assist us with families who have chronic attendance issues.

If your child has been ill with a communicable disease such as chicken pox, or head lice, he/she must be seen by our school nurse before returning to class. If your child was sent home from school because of a fever, he/she must be fever-free for 24 hours before coming to school. Children absent from school for 5 or more days due to illness will require a note from your doctor before re-admitting.

Tardiness
It is essential to the success of our academic program that every child arrives at school on time each day. It is disruptive to your child, the teacher, and the rest of the class when a child arrives late. Please Note: Students arriving late to school must be signed in by a parent/guardian or bring a note explaining reason for arriving late, or the student will receive a Pink Slip. (3 or more pink slips will result in detention). Repeated tardies may result in parents being required to meet with the principal to develop a plan for correcting this problem. You will also receive notices from the school district office advising you that you are not in compliance with state mandatory attendance law. Any child who has excessive unexcused tardies can be considered for special programs such as an attendance contract, referral to the School Attendance Review Board, and or a referral to a family support agency.