Phoebe Hearst Elementary School

Attendance Line

Please call absences prior to 9:00 a.m. to 658-9961 x 35#

If you would like to request homework, please do so at this time and the homework will be ready for pickup at 2:30 p.m.

Absences

School funding is based on attendance. No ADA is paid if a child is not in attendance for any reason. Accurate accounting and parent verification of the reasons for absences are required by state law. However, if a child is ill, it is best they stay home to get the care needed and prevent exposure to others. If for any reason a child is absent from school, parents are asked to call the attendance voice mail at 658-9961, extension 35# or send a note indicating the reason and dates of absence. State law permits absences for the following reasons:

• Illness
• Quarantine, as directed by the Health Department
• Medical, dental or eye services rendered
• Attendance at the funeral of an immediate family member (1 day)

Any other reason is considered "unexcused". Excessive unexcused or excused absences may result in a SARB (Student Attendance Review Board) referral.

Tardies

Instruction starts immediately at 8:10 am. Students who arrive after the 8:10 a.m. bell are considered tardy and must wait outside the gate until morning announcements and flag salute are complete. When a student is tardy, they sign in with the front office staff. We keep a daily record of all tardy students. If students are late 30 minutes or more, they are considered truant. If a child is tardy for a medical reason, the tardiness will be excused upon presentation of a note from the parent or physician.

Excessive tardiness is considered as absence from school and may result in a SARB referral.

Checking out of Students During School Hours

If you're going to be picking up your child before his regular dismissal time, you must come to the office and sign your child out. The office will then call your child out of instruction. Persons not listed on the child's emergency card will not be allowed to take the child, unless it is approved by the parent in writing. We ask that you refrain from making telephone requests to release your child from school, since it is not possible to establish your identity over the phone and we prefer not to pull the child out of class until you have arrived. Students miss out on valuable instruction when they are dismissed early.