Skip To Main Content

Attendance Policy

Burlingame High School Attendance Policy

Attendance & Participation Eligibility ("No Participation List")

Students who accumulate more than 12 period truancies and/or tardies within a one-month period will lose the privilege of participating in non-academic school activities during the following month, including:

  • Athletics
  • School dances
  • Plays and performances
  • Clubs and extracurricular activities
  • Other non-academic events

Additional interventions or consequences may be assigned by the administration, dean, or student's counselor.

Students and families are responsible for monitoring attendance throughout the school year.

 

Early Dismissals

To ensure students are released safely and efficiently, please follow these procedures:

  • Submit early dismissal requests before the student leaves campus.
  • Requests submitted through the Absence Reporting Form must be received at least one hour before the requested dismissal time.
  • For last-minute dismissals, a parent/guardian must call the Attendance Office so staff can retrieve the student from class. Completing the Absence form last minute may result in a delay of your child being dismissed.
  • Students may stop by the Attendance Office between classes to pick up an early dismissal pass.
  • Students must check out with the Attendance Clerk before leaving campus. Once they have their permit to leave they are free to leave at the approved time on the permit.

Important: Students who leave campus without checking out through the Attendance Office will be marked truant, and the absence cannot be cleared afterward.

 

Clearing an Absence

Absences must be cleared within 48 hours of the student's return to school.

Parents/guardians may clear an absence by:

  • Submitting the Absence Reporting Form (preferred method)
  • Calling 650-558-2808
  • Emailing cgomez@smuhsd.org

After 48 hours, undocumented absences become unexcused truancies and cannot be changed.

Only a parent or legal guardian listed in the student's Aeries emergency contacts may report or clear an absence.

 

Excused Absences

Per California Education Code and Board Policy, excused absences include:

  • Illness
  • Medical or dental appointments
  • Religious observances
  • Jury duty
  • Court or government appointments
  • Funeral services for an immediate family member

 

Unexcused Absences

Examples of unexcused absences include:

  • Vacations or family travel
  • College visits
  • Family emergencies
  • Club sports or other non-school activities
  • Any absence that does not qualify as excused under California Education Code

Important Information

  • An absence that is not cleared will be recorded as a cut/truancy ("T") on the student's attendance record.
  • No credit is allowed for work missed due to a cut/truancy or unexcused absence.
  • Grades may be significantly affected by missed work.
  • Students with a planned unexcused absence should speak with their teachers before the absence.
  • Students who cut class or are truant may not participate in extracurricular activities on that same day.

Planned Extended Unexcused Absences

Burlingame High School recognizes that families may occasionally need to remove a student from school for reasons not considered excused under California law.

For planned absences of 5 or more consecutive days:

  • Pick up a Request for Leave of Absence form from the Attendance Office (Room A126).
  • Obtain signatures from all teachers.
  • Submit the completed form to the Attendance Office at least two weeks before the planned absence.
  • Absences are unexcused in regards to attendance, however the completed form allows students to complete the work so their grades are not impacted.

 

Other Absences

Suspension

When a student is suspended:

  • The school will make a reasonable effort to notify the parent/guardian by phone or in person.
  • The student may not be on any district campus or attend any district-sponsored event during the suspension. Police may be contacted if necessary.
  • Teachers may provide assignments upon request; however, awarding credit is at the teacher's discretion (Education Code 48913).

Additional restrictions include:

  • Students may not attend or participate in school-related events for 10 calendar days from the suspension date.
  • Students suspended for being under the influence of or possessing alcohol or drugs at a school event may not attend or participate in school-related events for 60 calendar days.
  • If the incident occurred at a school dance, the student may not attend the next Burlingame High School dance.

Alternative to Suspension (ATS)

As part of the district's commitment to restorative practices, students may be assigned to an Alternative to Suspension (ATS) program.

The program may occur:

  • On a Saturday, or
  • During a regular school day.

ATS focuses on helping students identify unhealthy behaviors, reflect on their choices, and develop positive decision-making skills.

Students attending ATS during the school day will be allowed to make up missed classwork.

 

Parent-Verified Absences

Parent-verified absences are considered unexcused under California Education Code and therefore count toward truancy.

While BHS generally does not take disciplinary action for occasional parent-verified absences, excessive absences that interfere with a student's education may result in intervention.

Please note: Truancy notification letters will still be generated because these absences are not considered excused under state law.

 

Athletic Dismissals

Students participating in school athletics must:

  • Remain in class until the official dismissal time established by the Athletic Department.
  • Stay in class even if only a few minutes remain before dismissal.

For example, if athletic dismissal is 1:30 p.m., students are expected to remain in class until 1:30 p.m. This allows them to check in with their teacher and receive any important announcements or assignments.

Leaving campus before the official dismissal time will result in an unexcused absence that cannot be cleared afterward.

Parents do not need to report athletic dismissals.

 

Field Trips & School Activities

Parents do not need to report absences for:

  • School-sponsored field trips
  • School activities

Teachers notify the Attendance Office, and attendance records are updated automatically.

 

Monitor Your Attendance

Students and parents are encouraged to review attendance records weekly through Aeries to ensure they are accurate and to resolve any discrepancies promptly.

Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. We encourage all students to attend school consistently and make the most of their Burlingame High School experience.