CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE STUDENT HANDBOOK

Saddleback Valley Unified School District supports a strong Ethics Policy, which deals with students who cheat on tests, class or homework, or plagiarize on assignments. All tests, quizzes, reports, assignments and any school related test are subject to this policy. Cheating includes looking at or copying another student’s paper, or talking during an exam. Using technology or other sources to get or give others answers is also prohibited. Helping another student cheat on an exam or assignment is also a violation of the Ethics Policy if it has been made clear by the instructors that students are to work on their own. Violation of this policy will result in the following consequences:

1st Offense

1. Automatic "0” or “F” on the assignment or test.
2. Teacher contacts parent with details of offense and explains consequences and contract.
3. Student sent to the assistant principal and referral placed in student file.
4. Trimester citizenship grade may be lowered in the class where the violation occurred.
5. Student is placed on probation for the remainder of the school year.
6. Student signs Ethics Policy Contract, copy goes home for parent signature, and teachers are notified.
7. If the Ethics Policy violation occurs in a student aide class, the student may be transferred to another elective.

2nd Offense

(Either in the same class as the first offense or the second time the student violates the Ethics Policy during the same school year)

1. Automatic “0” or “F” on assignment or test.
2. Trimester academic grade in the class where the second offense occurred will be lowered one grade level. Student assigned "U” in citizenship and work habits in the class where the second offense occurred.
3. Referral placed in student discipline file and teachers are notified.
4. Parent conference with assistant principal, student, and teacher.
5. Student removed from any and all elected or appointed leadership positions for the remainder of the school year.
6. If the Ethics Policy violation occurs in a student aide class, the student will be transferred from that class with grade of “F”.
7. Student will be assigned one day of in-school suspension.

3rd Offense

(Either in the same class as the first or second offenses or the third time the student violates the Ethics Policy during the same school year)

1. Automatic “0” on assignment or test.
2. Trimester academic grade in the class where the third offense occurred will be lowered by one grade level. Student assigned a “U” in citizenship and work habits.
3. Student may be transferred from the class.
4. Referral placed in discipline file.
5. Parent conference with assistant principal, student, and teacher.
6. Student suspended home for 1 day.

Please Keep for Future Reference - Important Information for Parents

24-Hour Attendance Hotline -- (949) 598-3754

Please be sure to call the 24-Hour Hotline each day when your student is absent.

Absences

All absences must either be called into the 24 hour Attendance Hotline (949) 598-3754 or a note must come to the attendance window first thing in the morning before homeroom begins the day the student returns to school.

Tardies

Students arriving after the late bell should have a note stating the reason for the late arrival or be accompanied by a parent to the Attendance Window.  Students should be in their seats when the tardy bell rings, or they are considered late and consequences may apply.  Any student over 30 minutes late to school for any reason must have a note or a parent to accompany them to the Attendance Window to check in to school.

Excused Absences/Tardies:  The following shall be considered the only legally excused reasons for being absent/tardy: illness; medical; dental; quarantine; optometry or chiropractic appointments; attendance at funeral services for an immediate family member; death in family; participation in religious instruction or ceremony (not to exceed four hours per semester); appearance in court; observation of a holiday of his/her religion; attendance at an employment or educational conference.  All absence/tardies need to be verified by parent/guardian or doctor in writing, in person or by phone.

Unexcused Absences/Tardies:   An unexcused absence/tardy is defined as:  1) absence/tardy not cleared through the attendance office by parent, guardian or doctor 2) a student missing any class without parental knowledge 3) absences/tardies for vacation/travel; car trouble; out of gas; out of town visitors; weddings; missed bus; sports; graduation ceremonies; oversleeping or personal/business reasons.

Early Dismissals/Student Pick Up

Students who need to leave early should bring a note from a parent/guardian to the Attendance Window before school.  The note should include the pick-up time as well as the name of the person who will be signing the student out.  Early dismissal slips allow a student to leave class and be in the office at the time needed which is especially important as the student may be in P.E. class or at an assembly and difficult to reach.  If unable to send a note, please call the office at (949) 586-3221.  Please note, all persons must present an I.D at the Attendance Window in order to sign a student out of school.

Deliveries to Students

Remind your student to bring lunches, homework, PE clothes, etc. to school every day, however, we will page students during snack and lunch to pick up personal items that have been delivered to the office.  If you choose to personally deliver a lunch, drop it at the front office.  NO OUTSIDE DELIVERY SERVICES (UberEats, DoorDash, PostMates, etc) will be accepted.

Health Office

In the event of an illness or injury during school hours and the student wishes to contact his/her parent he/she is required to report to the Health Office and use the school telephone.  By using the office telephone we are better able to track and treat all injuries and illnesses that occur during school hours and are available to provide information to the parents when the student calls.

Independent Study Contracts for Absences of 5 Days or More

Please notify the Attendance Clerk at least two weeks prior to vacations or extended absences of five (5) school days or more.  The attendance clerk will set up an Independent Study Contract for your student, which allows him/her to keep up with assignments.

For more information, please see the Annual Notification to Parents

Early Dismissal Process:

• Students wanting to leave early from school must bring a note from parent to the attendance window before school with the time and name of person who is intending to pick the student up from school.
• The student will be given an Early Dismissal slip which allows them to leave class and be waiting in the office for parent to sign them out. 
• If unable to send a note, call to the office at (949) 586-3221.