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Leave of Absence and Other Allowable Absences

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Other Allowable Absences

Student attendance is fundamental in achieving student success and program/course completion. Students are expected to attend classes as assigned, be on time, and be actively engaged throughout the class session. Student attendance is recorded by instructors and entered into ASAP (student information system and database utilized by Downey Adult School), on a daily basis. Please use sign-in sheets when you arrive and leave. Each class/program has specific program attendance policies. In order to be eligible for full class credit, students must maintain the minimum attendance that is stated in the class/program policies.

Absence Allowances

  • Religious Observance & Holy Days
  • Bereavement
  • Jury Duty

Religious Observance & Holy Days Policy

Students are permitted by DAS Attendance policy to be absent from class to observe a religious holy day. Instructors are asked to be responsive and accommodating to requests when students contact them IN ADVANCE to request such an excused absence. The student should be given an opportunity to make up missed work because of religious observance. Students are advised to scan their syllabi/course outlines/Academic Calendars at the beginning of their respective CTE Program Start Date to identify potential conflicts with their religious observances.

  • Please note that this applies only to the sort of holy day that necessitates absence from class and/or whose religious requirements clearly conflict with aspects of academic performance.
  • Students who miss class to observe a specified religious holiday (with prior notice) are expected to make prior arrangements with their instructor to make up any work missed.
  • DAS is a clock-hours institution, therefore, any coursework and clock-hours that are missed due to the observance of a religious holiday, MUST BE MADE UP WITHIN A WEEK OF SAID ABSENCE.
  • DAS reserves the right to honor the observance of religious holy days only when students have communicated such a request PRIOR to the day that the absence will occur.
  • DAS will consider periods of formalized mourning (i.e. shiva) as prescribed by a student’s religion for immediate family on a case-by-case basis.  Students must contact DAS Administration to discuss planning for periods of formalized mourning.

Bereavement Policy

DAS’s allowance for absences due to Bereavement purposes aligns with the same standards which DAS’s faculty and staff follow. DAS has the right to request documentation (on a case-by-case basis) that verifies the death of a family member (e.g., a funeral program or death certificate). It is up to the discretion of DAS Administration to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.

As defined in DUSD’s Bereavement Policy, article IV, section G, bereavement absences shall not exceed more than three (3) excused days, except when travel beyond a 300-mile radius or out-of-state is necessary, in which case the absences shall be extended to five (5) excused days.

  • Absences due to Bereavement will not be counted against a student’s program’s allowable absences.  However, all missed coursework and clock-hours MUST be made up within one (1) week of a student’s return to school.

Jury Duty Policy

DAS agrees to grant students called for jury duty in the manner provided by law, up to five (5) excused school days.

Students Responsibility

Students called for jury duty, must show proof of summons no less than two (2) weeks prior to summons date and notify (email) the following DAS staff:

  • Instructor
  • Program Director
  • DAS’s Student Services Department via DASLOA@dusd.net

Email Must Include

  • Service date(s) upon receiving said notice from officers of the court (summons).
  • DAS will require a certificate of Jury Service at the end of the performed jury service.
  1. Students are required to attend class any day or portion thereof, as certified by the Court Clerk in which jury duty services are not required.
  2. Students who are called to perform Jury Services beyond five (5) excused school days,
    • Will be placed on Leave of Absence and be administratively withdrawn from their current module.
    • Students will receive a NC (No Credit) grade and will be required to repeat the MOD to receive a passing grade.
    • DAS will waive the $350 Repeat Module fee under these circumstances