FAQ / General Information
My Student has an appointment what do I do?
Call 858-485-4842 to leave a message a day or two before your student's appointment. The student is responsible for picking up their off-campus pass from the Attendance Office. See our section on Off-Campus Passes for more detailed information.
Who can excuse a student's tardy or absence?
The legal parent or guardian has the authority to excuse an absence or tardy. Listed emergency contacts are for a school emergency only. Emergency contacts listed for your student do not have permission to check a student out of school or to clear absence/tardy.
Who can pick up my student from school?
You can designate anyone to pick up your student. A legal parent or guardian is the one who needs to call the school to give permission for a student to leave school early. See our section on Off-Campus Passes for more detailed information if your student needs to leave school early.
We are going on vacation. What should we do?
Anytime your student will be missing class they should talk to their teachers about how best to keep up while they are away. We do have an Off Campus Independant Study (OCIS) program for students who will be missing ten or more consecutive school days. This program is regulated by the state of California and requires more of the student than direct contact with their teachers. See our OCIS section of this webpage. If an OCIS contract has not been approved the parent needs to call the Attendance Office with the dates of the absence to excuse the absence.
What do I do if my student gets sick at school?
Students who are not feeling well are referred to the Health Office. If your student is ill in the classroom they should ask their teacher for a pass to the Health Office. The health attendant will contact the parent or legal guardian if permission is needed for the student to leave school. All ill students that need to go home will be checked out through the Health Office.
Attendance Policy
All students, until they are 18 years old, are required by California’s Education Code to attend school. The law charges parents/guardians with the responsibility to ensure their children attend every scheduled session of every class with punctuality. A student’s refusal to attend school regularly can result in referral to the SARB (School Attendance Review Board), Juvenile Probation and the Juvenile Court System. Once a student becomes 18 years old, they become a guest at Rancho Bernardo High School and can be withdrawn from school if their academic progress, attendance, or behavior is not acceptable.
Students are expected to be in school every day and in classes on time. This means in the classroom before the tardy bell rings and prepared to learn (homework completed, necessary books and supplies ready).
Punctuality is an important life skill and tardiness is extremely disruptive to the educational process. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings.
Regular daily attendance is a key factor to the success a student achieves at school. Absence from school limits a student’s educational opportunities, which can have a direct impact on his/her grades, academic achievement, self-esteem, and ultimately their success in future endeavors.
If students are well and are able to attend school, please encourage regular attendance. Whenever possible, schedule doctor appointments and other non-school activities outside of the instructional day.
90% Attendance sounds good, but means that your student misses:
- One half day each week
- Nearly four weeks every school year
- Over one school year in a school career
Students can only benefit and make the most of their educational opportunities if they attend school regularly and on time. Students who miss school, miss out on opportunities to learn and develop the skills and attitudes necessary to become good citizens and valued employees. There is a clear connection between student attendance and student performance in school. Every day counts.