Child Welfare & Attendance » Attendance

Attendance

At El Monte City School District, we believe school attendance is vital to a student's educational foundation. Regular attendance is crucial for your child’s academic success and social development. By attending school regularly, students can fully benefit from their learning opportunities and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
 
The Importance of Attending School
  • Academic Improvement: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to keep up with daily lessons and assignments and perform better academically.
  • Social Skills: Regular attendance helps students develop important social skills through interaction with their peers.
  • Building Responsibility: Consistent attendance fosters a sense of responsibility and commitment in students.
 
How Parents Can Help
  • Ensure Timely Arrival: Help your child establish a morning routine to ensure they arrive at school on time.
  • Schedule Appointments Outside School Hours: Whenever possible, schedule medical appointments and other commitments after school hours.
  • Communicate: If your child is ill or there are unavoidable circumstances, please communicate with the school promptly.
  • Monitor: We encourage you to use the attached calendar to track your child's progress.
EMCSD Attendance Guidelines
Doctor notes are required after a student's 10th absence.
 
Chronic Absenteeism occurs when a student is absent from school without a valid excuse for more than 10 percent of the school year.
 
Notification about Chronic Absenteeism
A parent may receive attendance letters if their child has:
  • 3 or more unexcused absences
  • 5 or more total absences** (including excused and unexcused)
  • Excessive tardies**
These letters are sent to keep parents informed and to address attendance issues early.
 
How to respond:
  • Notify the front office about any absences to prevent them from being marked as unexcused.
  • For individual support or if you have questions, call  626-453-3784
 
It's important to communicate with the school to resolve any attendance concerns and ensure your child’s record is accurate.
 
How do I recover an absence? 
At EMCSD, we understand that missing school happens, and we want to provide students and families with an opportunity to recover an absence. Attending one day of Saturday School will recover 1 absence. Tardies cannot be made up.
 
What if I know my child cannot attend school for an extended period?
EMCSD offers a short-term Independent Studies program that cannot exceed 15 days for the entire year.
If you know your child will be missing school for an extended period of time, you can contact our Independent Studies team for more information. You can also call 626-453-3700 ext. 3652.
Celebrating Consistent Attendance
To celebrate students' consistent attendance, we have implemented a recognition program. Here’s how it works:
 
Criteria: To qualify for recognition, students must meet the standards outlined in the “Strive for Less than Five Absences” criteria sheet. Students who meet the attendance criteria monthly, quarterly, and yearly will receive special recognition. These acknowledgments are designed to be both fun and motivating. Examples include:
  • Certificates of Achievement and Trophies: Acknowledging their commitment to perfect attendance.
  • Special Events: Access to exclusive events such as classroom parties, photo booths, special events, and special assemblies.
  • Prizes: Small prizes such as books, school supplies, or gift certificates.
 
We believe that highlighting the importance of regular attendance and recognizing students' efforts will significantly benefit their educational journey. Your support and encouragement play a vital role in helping your child succeed.
 
Thank you for your partnership in promoting the importance of regular school attendance.