All students are required by Arizona State Law to attend school.  Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school.  Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation.  Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a serious problem.  Alhambra School District defines excess absences as absences of more than 10% of the days in membership for the school year, not to include absences due solely to certified illness, disease, or accident.  All unrecognized absences from school will be investigated by the office. Please make every effort to have your child in school every day.  If a student leaves school before 12:08 p.m. they are considered absent for the whole day.  If a student leaves school after 12:08 p.m. but before 3:40 p.m. it is considered a half-day absence. 

The following list of circumstances are the only recognized excuses for school absence: 

1. personal illness
2. family illness
3. death in the family
4. religious holiday

Absences

When a student is unable to attend school, parents should call 602-336-2657.  Please attempt to call before 9:00 a.m.  Parents will need to give the student’s name, teacher’s name, and reason for the absence.  If a parent forgets to call concerning a child’s absence, the school will call the home to confirm the reason for the student’s absence.  There are two reasons for this:  one, of course, is to help us keep track of absences, and the other, more important reason, is to help protect the safety of your child.  If phone contact has not been made with the school, a note must be presented to the office the morning the student returns to school.  The note must contain the student’s name, date of absence, specific reason for absence and be signed by the parent or guardian.  The attendance line phone number is 602-336-2657.

Unauthorized or unexcused absence from school or class is considered truancy. This includes absence from any class or activity during the school day for which the student is scheduled.  

Attendance Awards

Students who are not absent from school and are punctual to school receive recognition for Perfect Attendance.  Students who have perfect attendance throughout the school year receive special recognition.