How do I contact the attendance office?

Ms. Bridget, Senior Office Technician (310) 847-6018 / bridget.nicholson@lausd.net
Ms. Dupree, Senior Office Technician (310) 847-6020 / kcd1880@lausd.net
Ms. Avalos, Senior Office Technician (310) 847-6019 / jennifer.avalos1@lausd.net
Ms. Cheng, PSA Attendance Counselor (310) 847-6021 / ysc9406@lausd.net

Do I need to notify the school when my child can’t make it to school?

A Parent/guardian must call the CHS Attendance Office on the day of the student’s absence. When the student returns to school, please have him/her submit a doctor’s note if the absence was medical related or a parent/guardian’s note if a call was not made to excuse the absence. Please note that excused absences still count toward total days of absences and affect attendance percentage.

The following are considered as excused absences:

• Illness or injury
• Medical or dental appointment
• Court appearance for student
• Funeral of an immediate family member (may include any relative residing with the student)
  • 1 day: in-state
  • 3 days: out-of-state and/or country
• Quarantine
• Religious holiday, retreat or ceremony with prior approval from principal

The following are considered as unexcused absences:

• Vacation/travel
• Personal reasons
• Helping at home
• Lack of transportation
• Inclement weather

Verification for a student’s absence should occur in the form of:

• Parent/guardian’s note
• Doctor’s note
• Court paperwork

How do I pick up my child if s/he needs to leave early?

A Parent/guardian and emergency contacts on the child’s emergency card may pick up the child during school hours. To avoid waiting in line, Parent/guardian may have the child submit a note to the attendance office on the day of the early leave to “skip the line” when picking up their child:

1. Parent provides an early leave request note to the student. Date, parent/guardian’ name, reason for student to leave early and time to release student should be on the note.
2. Student submits the note at the attendance office before school starts or during Nutrition (must be before school starts if leave time is before Nutrition).
3. Attendance office staff verified the request with parent/guardian on the phone. (only the phone number(s) on the emergency card will be used).
4. Student may pick up his/her approved early leave blue slip at the attendance office during nutrition or lunch.
5. Student reports to the Welcome Center office at time of release.
6. Parent picks up student at the Welcome Center (Please have ID ready for verification purposes).

What should I do when my child will be absent for more than 3 days due to emergency/personal reasons?

Please submit an Administrator Approval of Student Absence request form to the Attendance Office for students who will have more than 3 consecutive unexcused absences (ex. out-of-state funeral, out-of-town due to family emergency, etc.).

Why do I get a phone call saying my child is absent or tardy when I dropped him/her off before 8:30 a.m.?

Students who are not in their seat at 8:30 a.m. are considered tardy. Please contact PSA Counselor to verify student’s attendance if you have any questions regarding the district auto-generated attendance phone calls.