Senior Attendance Policy
Verdugo Hills High School has a firm Senior Attendance Policy, as there is a direct connection between academic success and regular attendance. This policy requires that all seniors have a record of good attendance in his/her graduation year as a requirement for participating in the Graduation Ceremony, Senior Activities, and Prom. Attendance records of all seniors are reviewed each term to determine senior eligibility to graduate on stage. (Please note: This policy will only affect the ability to march the stage and participate in senior activities, not the earning of a diploma. If all other graduation requirements are fulfilled the diploma will still be awarded.)
All absences must be excused with a parent, doctor, court, or other valid documentation. All notes must be submitted to the Attendance Office within 10 days of the absents’ occurrence.
0-7 total Attendance Demerits for the entire school year – The student has demonstrated satisfactory attendance and will be eligible for all senior activities.
8-14 absences for the entire school year – The student has demonstrated Basic school attendance and therefore he/she is not eligible to participate in the Graduation Ceremony and/or Senior activities. If all other graduation requirements have been completed, the student may pick up his/her diploma in the Counseling Office at a later specified date.
Students who fall within the Basic attendance band must earn back Attendance Recovery Credits (ARCs) to be eligible to participate in senior activities and/or graduation ceremony.
Please see VHHS Senior Recovery Opportunities sheet for more information on how Attendance Recovery Credits (ARCs) can be earned.
15 or more Attendance Demerits for the entire school year – The student has demonstrated Below Basic or Far Below Basic school attendance and therefore he/she is not eligible to participate in the Graduation Ceremony and/or Senior activities. If all other graduation requirements have been completed, the student may pick up his/her diploma in the Counseling Office at a later specified date.
Students who fall within the Below Basic/Far Below Basic attendance band may possibly earn back attendance hours and therefore be eligible to participate in senior activities by:
1) Student must earn back Attendance Recovery Credits (ARCs) for each absence over the allotted 7 Attendance Demerits per school year. Please see VHHS Senior Recovery Opportunities sheet for more information on how Attendance Recovery Credits (ARCs) can be earned.
AND
2) Petitioning the VHHS Attendance Review Committee for special consideration. Once the petition is received, the student will be granted a hearing date and time to appear before the committee and explain the extenuating circumstances that led to his/her excessive absences. The committee will review the presented information and make a determination if special consideration can be granted. To be eligible for a committee hearing the student must complete all outstanding Attendance Recovery Credit(s). For more information please see the Senior Attendance Review Appeal Process sheet. NOTE: Making up ARC credits does not guarantee participation in the graduation ceremony; it simply makes the student eligible for an Attendance Review Committee hearing, for consideration to participate.
NOTICE: Both parents and students are notified of absences in each class by automated phone calls, progress reports, end of term report cards, LAUSD Parent Passport, and other special reports.
How are Attendance Demerits Calculated?
- Any full day absence over the 7 allotted absences is counted as one full Attendance Demerit, regardless of the fact if it’s excused or not by the parent. Special consideration is given to absences that are excused with a doctor’s note, court documentation proving appearance in court, and pre-approved college visits.
- Any unexcused period absence (ditching) is counted as one full Attendance Demerit per occurrence.
- Any unexcused tardy over 30 minutes in length in any single period will be counted as a period absence as per the California Education Code. Demerit per occurrence. Students must adhere to VHHS procedures for leaving campus and/or leaving class at all times.
3. Students who leave class without teacher’s permission will be marked as “Left Early” and therefore truant. Each truancy is counted as one full Attendance Demerit.