Pierce Joint Unified School District

It is important that you contact your child’s school if your child is absent from school. 

On the day of your student’s absence, you will receive a notification via phone call, text, or email from their school. Our district uses Parent Square for all communication. It is best practice to download the Parent Square app; however, notifications will still be recieved even if the app is not on your device. Contacting parents and guardians of students who are not in class is an important measure undertaken by the District to ensure the safety of all of our students.

All absences are considered unexcused, until the school receives communication from the parent or guardian with a valid reason for the absence.  If the reason isn’t valid, the absence is still considered unexcused. Communication regarding absences must be received within 3 school days. If no communication is received, the absence is considered unexcused. Unexcused absences are considered “unlawful absences” if the student is of compulsory school age.

PJUSD recognizes that there may be legitimate reasons for absences, such as illness, family emergencies, or religious observances. Parents/guardians are required to provide documentation to excuse absences. Communication must be submitted within 3 days of the absence

A student absence is considered excused under the following circumstances:

1. Personal illness, including absence for the benefit of the student's mental or behavioral health  (Education Code 48205)
2. Quarantine under the direction of a county or city health officer  (Education Code 48205)
3. Medical, dental, optometrical, or chiropractic service or appointment  (Education Code 48205)
4. Attendance at funeral services for or grieving the death of a member of the student's immediate family or, as determined by the student's parent/guardian, a person so closely associated with the student as to be considered the student's immediate family  (Education Code 48205)
   A student may be excused for this reason for up to five days for each incident.  (Education Code 48205)
5. Jury duty in the manner provided for by law  (Education Code 48205)
6. Illness or medical appointment of a child to whom the student is the custodial parent  (Education Code 48205)
7. Upon advance written request by the parent/guardian and the approval of the principal or designee, justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to:  (Education Code 48205)
   1. Attendance or appearance in court
   2. Attendance at a funeral service
   3. Observance of a religious holiday or ceremony
   4. Attendance at religious retreats for no more than one school day each semester
   5. Attendance at an employment conference
   6. Attendance at an educational conference on the legislative or judicial process offered by a nonprofit organization
8. Service as a member of a precinct board for an election pursuant to Elections Code 12302 (Education Code 48205)
9. To spend time with an immediate family member who is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined in Education Code 49701, and has been called to duty for deployment to a combat zone or a combat support position or is on leave from or has immediately returned from such deployment  (Education Code 48205)
   Such absence shall be granted for a period of time to be determined at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee.  (Education Code 48205)
10. Attendance at the student's naturalization ceremony to become a United States citizen (Education Code 48205)
11. Participation in a cultural ceremony or event which relates to the habits, practices, beliefs, and traditions of a certain group of people  (Education Code 48205)
12. For a middle school or high school student, engagement in a civic or political event, provided that the student notifies the school ahead of the absence  (Education Code 48205)
    Unless otherwise permitted by the Superintendent or designee, students shall be limited to one such school day-long absence each school year  (Education Code 48205)
13. When a student's immediate family member or, as determined by the student's parent/guardian, a person so closely associated with the student as to be considered the student's immediate family has died:  (Education Code 48205)
    1.     To access services from a victim services organization or agency
    2.     To access grief support services
    3.    To participate in safety planning or take other actions, including, but not limited to, temporary or permanent relocation, to increase the safety of the student, an immediate family member of the student, or a person determined by the student's parent/guardian to be in such close association with the student as to be considered immediate family.
       Such absence shall be excused for not more than three days for each incident.  (Education Code 48205)
14. Participation in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction at the student's place of worship or other suitable place away from school property as designated by the religious group, church, or denomination  (Education Code 46014)
    Absence for student participation in religious exercises or instruction shall not be considered an absence for the purpose of computing average daily attendance if the student attends at least the minimum school day as specified in Administrative Regulation 6112 - School Day, and is not excused from school for this purpose on more than four days each school month.  (Education Code 46014)
15. For a student who holds a work permit authorizing work in the entertainment or allied industries for a period of not more than five consecutive days, work in such industry  (Education Code 48225.5)
    For this purpose, student absence shall be excused for a maximum of up to five absences each school year.  (Education Code 48225.5)"
16. Participation with a nonprofit performing arts organization in a performance for a public school audience  (Education Code 48225.5)
    A student may be excused for up to five such absences each school year provided that the student's parent/guardian provides a written explanation of such absence to the school.  (Education Code 48225.5)
17. Other reasons authorized at the discretion of the principal or designee based on the student's specific circumstances  (Education Code 48205, 48260)

Students who miss 10% or more of the school year, regardless of the reason, are considered chronically absent and may face academic and social challenges.This translates to 18 days in a 180-day school year. PJUSD is committed to working with families to address chronic absenteeism and support student success. We are committed to your child’s success and we are your partner. Together, we can set your student up for success!