The Piedmont Highlander

The Student News Site of Piedmont High School

The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

“Adults” excuse absences

photoThough most of them are still dependent on their parents, 18 year-old high school students may sign their own notes to excuse their absences according to the California Education Code, Section 46012.

“Once you’re eighteen, you’re given the opportunity to be treated as an adult,” principal Rich Kitchens said. “You are allowed to sign your own notes under Ed. Code and be given the same attendance responsibilities that an adult, or your parent, had.”

But the school policy has one obstacle to overcome before granting “the 18 year-old privilege”, as Kitchens calls it, to a student that asks for it from the office.

“Our policy is to allow you to follow the law which allows you to sign, but also inform your parents,” Kitchens said. “That’s why we have a parental requirement that [parents] sign, because that lets us know that the parent is aware of the situation.”

After students return the signed sheet, the Memorandum of Understanding, to the office, they have their signing privileges.The CA Ed. Code, Section 48205, that can also be seen on page 13 of the PHS planner, lists the events that are considered to be excused absences. It includes doctor appointments, funerals, jury duty, etc. Kitchens said that parents need to know if their child is missing school for a legitimate reason.

“There could be times when your parent thinks you’re leaving to go to school, but you’re really going to play tennis or go to the beach,” Kitchens said. “It’s against the law to lie to a public official and the parent has to know that you’re taking that responsibility as a student. That’s one of the responsibilities of being an adult.”

Eighteen year-old senior Joey Armstrong, whose parents signed the required Memorandum of Understanding and who now signs himself out, said that the policy makes sense.

“You still live with them and they are still responsible for you,” Armstrong said. “It’s just easier if you’re both on the same page about going, or not going, to class.”

Senior Austin Bisharat earned his right to sign out without the memorandum. He said that according to the CA Ed. Code, though parents are entitled to school records, their refusal to sign the memorandum does not revoke “the 18 year-old privilege”. He brought the subject up with the administration and after a while they allowed him to sign out.

“My parents probably would’ve signed the thing if I asked them to,” Bisharat said. “But, I think it’s not cool for our school to create policies that violate Ed Code and not tell their students this. However, I mean to inform students that they don’t need to get this permission slip thing signed.”

Kitchens said that the school is legally responsible for you, no matter your age, from “portal to portal,” the time that you leave your home to when you return to it.

“I believe we have a responsibility to parents,” Kitchens said. “You can sign your note, and not come to school, but I think a parent has to know that, because we’re responsible for you and the parents expect us to be able to be responsible for you.”

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Piedmont Highlander

Your donation will support the student journalists of Piedmont High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The Piedmont Highlander

Comments (0)

All The Piedmont Highlander Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *