5113 - Absences and Excuses - Procedure

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

1. Personal illness.

2. Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer.

3. Medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic appointments.

4. Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family.

1. Excused absence in this instance shall be limited to one day if the service is conducted in California or three days if the service is conducted out of state.
2. “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 immediate household of the student.

5. Exclusion, for up to five school days, for failure to present evidence of immunization. (cf 5141.31 Immunizations)

6. Jury duty in the manner provided by law.

A student’s absence shall be excused for justifiable personal reasons including but not limited to:

1. Appearance in court.

2. Observation of a holiday or ceremony of his/her religion.

3. Attendance at religious retreats for no more than four hours during a semester.

4. Employment interview or conference.

When students contemplate absence for personal reasons, their parents/guardians should write the principal to ask that the expected absence be excused. The principal or designee shall approve or disapprove the request pursuant to uniform County Superintendent of Schools standards. The principal or designee may deny the request if he/she believes that the absence would be educationally harmful to the student or set a poor example in matters of school attendance for the student or other students. If the request is denied, reasons will be given.

A student also shall be excused when he/she is the custodial parent of a child who is ill or has a medical appointment during school hours.