The only “legal” excuses for student absence are illness, doctor’s appointments, or funeral attendance of an immediate family member. 

If your child is absent, call the school attendance line at (714) 536-1469 EXT:2 or email us at: smithattendance@hbcsd.us

Both are available 24 hours a day. If your child is absent for three or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required.  Homework requests can be made before your child's scheduled lunch period and can be picked up in the office between 2:30 and 4:00.

School attendance records are audited closely by the State Department. We must maintain accurate attendance records for apportionment purposes. If a child is absent for any reason our school district receives no funding for that child unless an Independent Study Agreement was signed in advance.

Independent Study

While we believe there is no substitute for regular student attendance at school, the Huntington Beach City School District operates a program of Independent Study for students who miss five or more consecutive days of school for reasons other than illness. Please call our office at least five days in advance to arrange an independent study contract. 

Tardiness

Tardiness not only interrupts the instructional program but cultivates detrimental behavior that is difficult to reverse once a child reaches middle school.  A student who arrives after the 8:20 bell has rung must come to the office for an admit slip before entering the classroom.  Please be sure that your child leaves home in time to arrive at school before the bell rings.  Parents will be notified of excessive tardiness.