CGUHSD encourages regular attendance at school. There is a direct relationship that exists between attending school and academic success. As educators, we know regular school attendance is a necessary part of the learning process and is key to getting a good education. Students who are frequently absent may be putting their future in jeopardy. Studies have shown that chronic absenteeism, especially truancy, is highly associated with dropping out of school. Please be sure your student is in attendance every school day unless sick.

Tardies are viewed as a disruption to the classroom environment. Arriving late not only deprives the tardy student of full learning time, but also disrupts the education of other students. Students are expected to arrive on campus in time for the start of the school day. Any student who is late for the first scheduled class shall go directly to the Attendance Office for a pass for admittance to class. Students who are habitually late in arriving at school are subject to disciplinary action. A tardy becomes an absence when a student who arrives late has missed the majority of instruction.

• lunch periods
• 35 minutes prior to the end of the school day
• semester/state/national exams
• pep assemblies

A parent/guardian should make every effort to schedule routine medical appointments, family functions, and vacations during school holidays or breaks. It is recommended that appointments be scheduled outside the regular school day. In order for absences relating to illness, medical appointments, bereavement, family emergencies, religious/cultural days, or district-approved family vacations to be counted as excused absences, a parent/guardian must notify the Attendance Office within 48 hours of the absence. Failure to provide documentation within 48 hours will result in an unexcused absence. We reserve the right to verify documentation.

Students may lose credit for any class in which they accumulate 13 absences and/or tardies during a semester. This accumulation of tardies includes excused and unexcused. The only exception to this rule is when the administration decides that adequate evidence has been presented indicating an unusual circumstance, such as prolonged illness, requiring an accumulation beyond the maximum of 13 absences and/or tardies.

Students with a chronic and/or recurring illness must provide documentation, signed by a doctor, and on file in the Health Office. A new form is required for each school year. In cases where medical documentation can be provided regarding a long-term illness or an ongoing medical condition, a parent/guardian should be in contact with the school regarding the chronic health problem. A parent/guardian should contact a site administrator to develop an academic plan. Absences due to a chronic illness are exempt from the cumulative 10% rule if they meet A.R.S. guidelines.