Attendance

A student's absence shall be excused for the following reasons:

• Personal illness
• Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer
• Medical, dental, optometry, or chiropractic appointment
• Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family, which shall be limited to one day if the service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state. Immediate family shall be defined as mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, spouse, son/son-in-law, daughter/daughter-in-law, brother, sister, or any relative living in the student's immediate household.
• The illness or medical appointment during school hours of a child to whom the student is the custodial parent
• Upon advance written request by the parent/guardian and the approval of principal or designee, justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to:
• Appearance in court, Attendance at a funeral service, Observation of a holiday or ceremony of his/her religion, attendance at religious retreats not to exceed four hours per semester, Attendance at an employment conference, Attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit organization, Service as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Elections Code 12302
• Participation in religious exercises or receiving moral and religious instruction in accordance with district policy. In such instances, the student shall attend at least the minimum school day and the student shall be excused for this purpose on no more than four days per school month.

The following are designated as unlawful absences:

Willful absence from school without parental knowledge and absence from school without acceptable cause with parental knowledge.

Tardies

It is considered tardy if the student arrives at school after 8:00 am

Cuts

Absences, which are not cleared or excused through the Attendance Office within 10 school days, are considered cuts. Cuts are also issued if a student fails to check out with either the Health or Attendance office before leaving campus. After a student attains fourteen (14) days of medical absences, medical verification will be required.

You can check your students attendance and grades through the parent portal of Aries. 

Aeries Portal

In order to support students who are absent due to illness, emergency, or family travel, Hidden Valley Elementary offers a Short-Term Independent Study program. This option helps students stay on track with their learning while away from school. Students may participate for as few as one day and up to 15 cumulative days per school year under the following guidelines:

1. Eligibility – Students must be in good standing with both attendance and academic performance.

2. Notice Requirement – A minimum of two weeks’ advance notice is required so teachers can prepare assignments and materials.

3. Duration – Independent Study may range from one day to a total of fifteen cumulative school days per year.

4. Approval – The plan must be approved by both the classroom teacher and the principal prior to the absence.

5. Completion of Work – All assigned work must be completed and returned to the teacher upon the student’s return for attendance credit to be granted.

Per Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6158 and 5113, Short-Term Independent Study Agreements (STISA) can
be approved for fewer than 15 cumulative instructional days in a school year. AR 6158 reads: “When requested by a
parent/guardian due to an emergency, vacation, or illness, independent study may be used on a short-term basis to ensure
that the student is able to maintain academic progress in his/her regular classes.” Furthermore, “the Superintendent or
designee may approve the participation of a student who demonstrates the motivation, commitment, organizational skills,
and academic skills necessary to work independently.”