Skip to main content Fountain Valley School District
Student Services & Safety » Attendance and Intervention

Attendance and Intervention

Absence & Absence Guidelines
In the Fountain Valley School District, every day your child spends in the classroom builds their confidence, sparks their curiosity, and connects them to their school community. Regular attendance gives students the strong foundation they need to thrive academically and socially, from Transitional Kindergarten all the way through middle school.
 
To help our families navigate attendance expectations, here is what you need to know about school schedules, reporting absences, and keeping our school communities healthy.
 
Daily Schedule and Arrival/Dismissal Times
Building a habit of punctuality sets children up for success all day long.
  • Arrival: Children are generally asked not to arrive more than 15 minutes before the start of the school day unless there are meetings or activities scheduled for them.
  • Dismissal: Please arrange for your child to be picked up promptly at dismissal. Students may not wait after school for any length of time to attend meetings that start substantially after dismissal time. 
  • Leaving Early: For student safety, children are not permitted to leave campus during the school day without permission from the school office. Parents picking up a student early must check in at the front office. If someone other than a parent or authorized guardian is picking up your child, please notify the office in advance.
 
When Your Child is Absent
When missing school is unavoidable, clear communication helps us keep accurate records and support your child's learning momentum.

Excused Absences
Under California Education Code, an absence is marked as excused for the following reasons:
  • Illness or Medical Need: Personal illness, injury, or medical/dental appointments.
  • Family Bereavement: Attendance at a funeral for an immediate family member.
  • Justified Personal Reasons: Pre-approved family circumstances (e.g., court appearances, religious observances) requested in writing and approved in advance by the school principal.
 
How to Report an Absence
Following an absence, state rules require notification from a parent or guardian:
  1. Email or call the school office on the morning of the absence, OR
  2. Send a written, signed note upon your child's return to school. (A doctor's note is always recommended when returning from a medical appointment or extended illness.)
Unexcused Absences & Family Travel
Any absence without a parent phone call, written note, or valid reason under state law is recorded as unexcused.

Research shows that missing just two days a month (10% of the school year) can make it significantly harder for young learners to keep pace with reading, math, and social development. To support your child's success, we ask that families:
  • Schedule medical and dental appointments after school hours or during scheduled non-school days whenever possible.
  • Plan family trips and travel during official district breaks (such as Thanksgiving, Winter, or Spring break).
 
Health & Wellness: When to Stay Home
We want our students in school, but keeping our classrooms healthy is a team effort!
  • Send them to school: Minor symptoms like mild sniffles, slight fatigue, or a mild headache shouldn't keep your child home.
  • Keep them home: Please keep your child home if they have a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, or a contagious illness.
  • Healthy habits at home: You can help prevent the spread of illness by practicing regular handwashing, using tissues, and coughing or sneezing into an elbow.
 
Tardiness & Truancy
Arriving on time helps students start their morning feeling calm, focused, and ready to learn alongside their peers.
  • Tardies: If your child arrives after the morning bell, please ensure they check in at the front office with a brief note explaining the delay.
  • Truancy (State Guidelines): Under California law, a student is considered truant if they have:
    • Three or more unexcused absences, OR
    • Three or more tardies of 30 minutes or longer without a valid excuse.
Excessive tardiness or unexcused absences may require a referral to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) so school staff can partner with your family to support consistent attendance.
 
Have Questions?
If you ever have questions about whether an upcoming absence can be excused or if your family needs support getting your child to school on time, please contact your school's front office. We are always here to help!