Attendance
Students cannot learn if they are not in school. California schools no longer receive funding for students who are sick or “excused.” It is essential that your child attend school whenever possible—even if it is just for part of the day. A satisfactory explanation from the parent or guardian is required for a student’s absence for all or any part of the school day. The explanation may be given in writing. Students who miss class must have a parent/guardian provide a note to excuse the absence within ten (10) school days of the absence. If it is not excused within ten days, students must attend Saturday School to clear the absence. (SUHSD Board Policy 5112)
Reporting an Absence
ONLY GUARDIANS/PARENTS CAN CLEAR ABSENCES or REPORT COVID CASES.
Absences reported from a student account will not be cleared. ORHS will ONLY clear absences from Primary Guardian/Parent Emails that are on file in Infinite Campus. Please ensure your email address is correct in infinite campus to report an absence through this form.
Reporting an Absence Form
Attendance Technician: Nancy Prieto
• Email: Nancy.Prieto@sweetwaterschools.org
• Phone: 619-591-5004
COVID
If your child is out due to COVID exposure, symptoms, or a positive test, please contact the nurse at 619-591-5013 for instructions on when the student can return to school.
Errors
If you believe that your student was marked absent in error by the teacher, please email the teacher directly to clarify any errors. The teacher will then submit the attendance revision. Printouts can be requested at the attendance office with Ms. Prieto during the times below. Not during class time
• Nutrition break
• Lunch
• After school
Illness at school
If your student is feeling sick, they are not allowed to call or text their parents to go home. They need to go to the nurse’s office to be evaluated, and the nurse will call the parent/guardian to give your student an off-campus pass.
Independent Study
If your child will be out 5-15 days, you can initiate an Independent Study Contract. Contact the Attendance Coordinator, Mrs. Leivas-Howard, to start the process via email at Irene.Leivas-Howard@sweetwaterschools.org or call 619-591-5033.
Late Notes
Late Students need to report to the Attendance windows with a note from the Parent/Guardian. The note needs a reason why the student is unable to come to school on time to receive an Excused pass to class. Note needs a contact number and Parent/Guardian Signature. Please do not allow your students to write their own notes. Waking up late will not be excused
Leaving School Early
Otay Ranch High School is a CLOSED campus by action of the Board of Education. No student may leave during the school day without first obtaining a Permit to Leave Campus in the Attendance Office. Permits will be issued during office hours only if the parent/guardian has given written permission to the school. Students who leave early without first obtaining permission from the office will be assigned a “CUT” which may result in disciplinary action and/or assignment failure.
Off-Campus Pass
Students must bring a parent/guardian note to the attendance office in the morning to get an off-campus pass. With this note, we call to confirm, and the parent does not need to come into the attendance office. The students can sign themselves out and go. Without a note, parents must come in, must show ID, and must sign off-campus before attendance can send the pass to your student. Only the Parent or Guardian can pick up the student unless the parent or guardian lets attendance know who will pick up their student, and they must be listed on the emergency card. We stop issuing off-campus passes at 3:20 pm on block days, at 2:15 pm on pro-hour days, and at 12:55 am on minimum days. Off-campus passes from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm can be emailed to Nancy Prieto (nancy.prieto@sweetwaterschools.org) or call (619) 591-5004 in the morning to give us time to pull the student out and have him/her wait for pick up.
Saturday School
Students must clear their Saturday Academy assignment to be off the list. Non-Priviliege lists will roll over to the next year if not cleared.
Tardy
All students that come in late must report to the attendance windows. Students must have a note from parent/guardian with the reason you were unable to come to school on time to be able to get an excused pass to class. Notes from parent/guardian must have a reason why student was late, signature and phone number to reach parent/guardian if we have any questions. Please don’t allow students to write out the notes. If it is a personal matter, you can put personal. Waking up late will not be excused.