Regular Attendance Is Essential for Learning

Regular attendance at school is critical to your child’s education. Disruptions to your child’s school attendance can have a significant impact on his/her academic performance. Extended family vacations during the school year are strongly discouraged.

What to Do if Your Child Is Going to Be Absent 

1. Fill out the online Report an Absence form, or call the school (310-546-8022 x 5463) on the morning of the first day of the absence.
   
2. Let us know if your child has a contagious disease, such as chickenpox, measles or mumps. We will watch for the symptoms in other students.
   
3. Send a note when your child returns to school - include your child’s name, date(s) of absence, reason for absence, and your signature.

The school should be notified of any anticipated absence due to out-of-town trips, family emergencies, or medical or dental appointments.

Our School Loses Money Every Day Your Child Is Absent

Every day your child is absent the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (“MBUSD”) loses $47. The state funds for the daily attendance of students are NOT paid when your child is absent from school for any reason.

If your child does need to be out of school, please seriously consider providing MBUSD with a voluntary contribution of $47 for each day your child is absent. Checks made out to MBUSD should be dropped off at the front office.

Tardiness

Being punctual for school is critical to maximize instructional time and minimize disruption. Please make sure your child is in his/her seat no later than 8:15 a.m. (8:10 a.m. for kindergarten/8:25 a.m. for TK) each school day.

If your child arrives after the 8:15 a.m. bell (8:10 a.m. for kindergarten/8:25 a.m. for TK), he/she must first report to the office to check-in. 

The state does NOT recognize any excused tardies; therefore, any time your child is late for school he/she will receive an unexcused tardy. 

In the event your child receives four or more tardies, the parent(s) will receive a warning letter. If eight tardies occur, a more formal letter will be sent home. If 12 or more tardies occur, a meeting between the parents and the principal is required.

Picking Up Your Child During School Hours

If you need to pick up your child before the end of the school day:

1. Send a note in the morning with your child stating the time that you wish to pick up your child and the reason for the early release.
   
2. Meet your child in the school office, not the classroom. Teachers cannot release a student to a parent directly from the classroom.
   
3. Sign the release clipboard in the office.

Please make sure that all persons picking up your child during the school year are listed on your child’s Student Emergency Information Card.

Independent Study Contracts

Independent study contracts are a way for MBUSD to receive the daily attendance funding when your child will be absent for a week or more on a family trip. Please contact the office one week prior to your trip to make the necessary arrangements.