Attendance
Absence Reporting
John Muir Middle School Performance and Participation Attendance Requirements
Students must attend at least four full class periods of school on the day of a school-related event/performance in which the student will be a participant. For events that take place on Saturday or Sunday, the student must attend at least four full class periods of the Friday, or the last day of the school week prior to the event. Events include but are not limited to: weekend field trips, performing in after school/evening/weekend shows and competitions, performing in assemblies, participating in the Muir Bowl, and participating in 8th grade Grad Night.
For attendance questions, please feel free to contact our attendance clerks, Maria Ospina at mariaospina@burbankusd.org or Ana Keossian at anakeossian@burbankusd.org You may also call the Attendance Office at 818 / 729 - 3800, ext. 22855 for English/Spanish or extension 22856 for English/Armenian.
Attendance FAQs
Absence - General
If a child will be absent from school for the day, a parent should call the office that morning or email our attendance clerks, mariaospina@burbankusd.org or anakeossian@burbankusd.org
When on campus learning returns: For appointments during the school day (doctor, dentist, etc.):
- Write a note and have the child take it into the office the morning of the appointment (see form below).
- The office will issue an “off schedule” to the child and the child can show it to the teacher at the appropriate time and leave.
- The parent will then sign the child out at the office.
OTHER FORMS
Scan completed form and send to Maria Ospina, senior attendance clerk, mariaospina@burbankusd.org
Tardy Policy
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A student is tardy when he or she is not in the classroom or in the teacher’s assigned instructional area when the bell rings. Tardies are cumulative for each semester and start over at the beginning of the next semester. Students are not to be in the hallways without an official pass or be in a different hallway than where their current class is located. A student is considered truant after three tardies of more than 30 minutes. After a student has been reported as a truant three or more times in a school year, the student is considered a habitual truant.
Students will accumulate consequences for tardies to school (not in class by 8:00 am) and to each class period as follows:
Tardy to School - 8:00 (Arriving after 8:00 am and entering through the office)
Tardy 1-3 | Warning |
---|---|
Tardy 4-5 | Student will meet with Intervention Specialist and be assigned attendance contract |
Tardy 6-9 | Student will meet with Intervention Specialist and may be assigned campus beautification or detention |
Tardy 10 | Student and parent will attend Student Attendance Review Team meeting |
Tardy 11 | Student will serve one 2-hour after school detention or one 2-hour Saturday School |
Tardy 12+ | Student Services and consequences will be determined by an administrator |
Tardy to Class (Arriving to any class after the first period of the day):
Tardy 1 | Warning |
---|---|
Tardy 2 | Teacher notifies parent |
Tardy 3 | Teacher may assign consequence, notifies parent, student may receive an “N” in citizenship |
Tardy 4 | Teacher refers student to office and Intervention Specialist |
Tardy 5 | Student will meet with Intervention Specialist and assigned attendance contract |
Tardy 6 | Teacher refers student to office and Intervention Specialist, student may receive a "U" in citizenship |
Letter from the Principal
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I’m certain that you realize the importance of regular school attendance. Whenever your child misses just one day of school, she/he loses valuable instructional time. While your child is able to make up missed assignments, she/he is not part of class discussions, nor does she/he receive instruction from the teacher. Some absences, such as illness or family emergencies, cannot be avoided. In these cases, it is very important that the parent/guardian notify the office ON THE DAY YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT. If you are unable to do this, your child must bring a note into the office on the day they return.
Tardies are another part of attendance that concerns us, as I’m sure it concerns you. When a student is late to school, or class, she/he misses valuable instructional time. When a student enters a class late, she/he disrupts the instruction that is taking place, and takes time from the teacher who is teaching other students. In addition, being late to school and classes develops habits of tardiness that will negatively impact your child later in school, and on their job. If your child is going to be late to school due to a doctor/dentist appointment, or due to unforeseen circumstances in the morning, the parent/guardian must call the school, or the student must bring a note to the office upon entering school.
All absences or tardies must be excused by the parent/guardian within 72 hours, or they will be counted as unexcused.
Students who are habitually tardy or absent will be subject to the progressive disciple which may include detention, and/or Saturday School. They will also be referred to a Student Study Team who will strategize with their parents to improve attendance. If these measures are unsuccessful, the student will be referred to the Student Attendance Review Board.
Thank you for working with us to make sure that your child receives the best education possible by attending school regularly. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Greg Miller
Principal
John Muir Attendance Policy
JOHN MUIR MIDDLE SCHOOL
A CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISED MIDDLE SCHOOL
111 NORTH KENNETH ROAD
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA 91504
(818) 558-5320
burbankusd.org/jmms
Dear Parents,
One of our goals this year is to ensure that every child attends school regularly and on time. Showing up for school has a huge impace on a student's academic success starting in kindergarten. Parents and families are absolutely integral to their children's success in school and in life. This does not stop at the end of elementary school, burt continues through middle school and into high school. Here at Muir, we understand that some absences are unavoidable. We also know that sometimes a student will arrive late to school. These instances are unavoidable and can be due to health problems and other circumstances. However, when a student musses or is tardy to school, regardless of the reason, it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he is chronically absent or tardy. Absences can add up. A child is chronically absent if she misses just two days a month. Research shows:
- Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
- By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven warning sign for students at-risk of dropping out of school.
- By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
We don't want your child to fall behind in school or get discouraged about learning. This can be achieved by ensuring that your child attends school regularly and on-time. Here are a few practical tips to support regular attendance and reinforce arriving to school on-time:
- Make sure children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks and lunches the night before school.
- Limit screen time before bed as this can impede restful sleep making it more difficult for children to wake refreshed.
- Ensure you child attends school every single day, unless he is truly sick. If you are not sure if your sutdent is truly sick, see a doctor or visit the health office at Muir.
- Avoid scheduling vacations and doctor's apointents when school is in session.
- Talk to Mr. Chanta, Intervention Specialist, or a school counselor, for advice if your child is anxious or nervous about attending school.
- Develop a backup plan for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a neighbor, family member, or another parent to assist in taking your child to school.
Please let us know how we can best supporT you and your children so they can be at school and on time each and every day. Your child's success depends on regular attendance and we are here to assist you!
Sincerely
Dr. Greg Miller
Principal
John Muir Middle School
BURBANK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT