Daily attendance is mandatory. It also plays a critical role in each student’s academic success. When students are absent they miss lectures, class discussions, project team collaboration time and many other class activities. Most class instruction cannot be replicated by makeup assignments or homework. Therefore, whenever possible medical appointments, vacations, and family business should be scheduled outside of school. In high school it is the student’s responsibility to ask their teachers for work missed during any absence. However, students usually are not allowed to make up assignments for unexcused absences.

All absences are unexcused or “cuts” until excused or “cleared” by a parent / guardian. Parents / guardians must excuse an absence the day of or within two days of the student’s absence. Most teachers do not allow students to make up work for unexcused absences and limit the time within which students may make up work for excused absences.

Absences may be excused for health reasons, family emergencies, and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law, Board policy, and administrative regulations. Refer to the Fremont Union High School District’s Annual Notifications for specifics. 

Parents / guardians should call the attendance recorder to clear absences. Call the recorder 24 hours a day at (408) 522-2515 and leave a message stating:

1.          Student’s first and last name, spelling of last name, and grade
2.          Student’s ID number
3.          Name and relationship of person clearing the absence
4.          Date(s) of absence and periods if a partial day
5.          Reason for absence
6.          Daytime phone number for questions and/or verification

Student punctuality and attendance is vital to avoid classroom disruption and to promote a solid learning environment. For these reasons, HHS has developed a policy for dealing with student tardiness and cuts.

Tardy policy

Incidents of tardiness will be handled on a class-by-class basis. The first 3 tardies will be dealt with by the teacher.  After the 4th tardy, the student will be referred to the Dean of Students who will assign one hour of detention. Each tardy thereafter will result in an additional 30 minutes of detention. If a student does not report for detention, the assigned detention will double in length. With all referrals, the parent will be notified. Additional tardiness or failure to report for assigned detention may result in forfeit of extra-curricular activities, suspension, referral to law enforcement and/or removal from class.

Unexcused Absence (Cut) Policy

Cuts will be handled by the Deans. Cutting a class will result in a conference with the Dean, parent/student contact, and detention. Continued truancy may result in forfeit of extra-curricular activities, suspension, referral to law enforcement and/or removal from class.

Leaving School Early and Off Campus Passes

Students who must miss classes for medical, court or other appointments must check out through the attendance office. Students who become ill during the school day must also check out through the attendance office. Students checking out of school early will be given an “Off Campus Pass” and released only to a parent, guardian, or an emergency contact listed on the Emergency Screen. 

Parents may come to the attendance office to check their student out of school. Calling the student out of class and releasing them takes approximately 20 minutes.

For convenience, parents/guardians may call the attendance recorder 24 hours a day at (408) 522-2515 to request an “Off Campus Pass” for their students. They need to state:

1.     Student’s first and last name, spelling of last name, and grade
2.     Student’s ID number
3.     Name and relationship of person requesting “Off Campus Pass”
4.     Date and time student needs to leave school
5.     The reason the student will be leaving school early

The attendance office will prepare an “Off Campus Pass” which the student may pick up prior to the start of school, brunch or lunch. The student may then leave school at the time specified on the recorder by their parent / guardian.

Students who leave school early without an “Off Campus Pass” will be disciplined.

Lunch Only Open Campus

Students are allowed to leave campus during the lunch break. They are expected to follow all school rules and to return to campus in time for their afternoon classes.  Students who are not returning to campus after lunch, because of an appointment or other reason, must take their “Off Campus Pass” with them. 

Extended Absences

If for any reason a student is going to be absent for more than a week, the parent / guardian must contact the grade level deans. Extended absences for family trips are strongly discouraged. In addition to parents contacting the grade level administrator, the student should make arrangements for missed assignments with each teacher either by email or phone.

In the case of serious illness, the grade level Dean will work with the district nurse to make appropriate arrangements.