Family Resources
At Downey, we strive to provide our students and their parents with all of the tools they need to be successful. Explore Parent Resources to find important documents, parenting tips, and helpful links as well as general information about the school policies.
Useful Links
Attendance
Student Attendance Expectations
Regular school attendance is important at Downey High School and students who miss school frequently can fall behind on classes and credits. Punctuality is important for students to learn so they may achieve their greatest academic potential. It is important for students to understand that tardiness to class is unacceptable. We ask that students to arrive on time daily and encourage parents to make appointments after school to avoid loss of class time.
All absences must be reported by the parent/guardian on the first day of absence and can be submitted in one of the following ways:
- https://parentconnection.dusd.net/
- https://www.parentsquare.com/signin
- Physical note including the parent and student's full name, ID #, and the reason for absence
When a student has been absent for more than 5 days, all future absences will need to be verified by a physician, school nurse, health assistant, or an appropriate school employee. Absences not verified will be considered unexcused and students will need to attend Saturday School to clear unexcused absences.
Parents/guardians will have 10 school days to verify the absence, beginning on the day the student returns to school. A Chronic Absentee Notice will be mailed home after the 7th absence.
Tardy Policy
Students who arrive late to school should report to the theater for tardy sweep.
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1st tardy: Warning & Parent Contact
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2nd tardy: Warning & Parent Contact
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3rd tardy: Saturday School
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4th tardy: Parent contact & writing assignment
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More than 4 tardies: Conference with administration/deans and contract
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More than 4 tardies: Possible exclusion from school activities
Parents can reach out to the Dean's Office for specific tardy sweep questions.
Leaving Campus Early
Downey High is not an open campus. If your student does need to leave campus early for an appointment, please follow these steps in order to minimize class disruptions:
- Complete a parentconnection early release report or
- Write a note the morning of the early departure that includes: student's full name, ID #, reason, and time your student needs to leave.
- Have this student drop off the note at the attendance office window on the outside of the A building before school starts.
- Have your student return to the window at snack and the attendance office will have generated an off-campus pass that the student can show the teacher/security to leave school early.
Annual Verification & Important Forms
Please visit the district website for health forms and back-to-school information verification.
School Counselors
Downey High School Counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development.
WeTip: Confidential Reporting
Students are often afraid to report incidents for a multitude of reasons. WeTip’s Reporting System offers an anonymous way for students and their families to report various happenings like wellness concerns, vandalism, bullying and discrimination without fear.
Wellness Resources
For Students
For Parents
Virtual Calming Rooms
Helpful Information
Athletics Participation
Learn more about joining a sport.
i-Ready
i-Ready is an online program that will help determine your student’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows teachers to meet your student exactly where they are and provides data to increase your student’s learning gains.
Learn more: Visit the Family Center
School Zone Traffic Laws
Become familiar with the special laws related to keeping schools safe. Learn more: School Zone Traffic Laws
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)
End-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child’s learning.
Learn more: CAASPP: A Parent’s Guide
Common Sense Media
Discover family-friendly media you feel good about sharing with your kids. Entertainment and technology recommendations for families.
Visit: commonsensemedia.org
Foster Youth Resources
Students with an open DCFS case, including those in out-of-home care or receiving family reunification or maintenance services have specific rights and resources available to them. Through Assembly Bill 490, these students have specific rights to school stability, immediate enrollment, and other protections—plus access to supportive resources that help them stay on track toward graduation and future success.
Homeless (McKinney-Vento) Resources
The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law established to assist homeless children and youth with enrolling, attending and succeeding in school. The goal is that homeless youth are guaranteed the same educational services that all students are provided in order to meet challenging academic standards.
Get Connected
Q-Parent Connect
Q-Parent Connect will allow you to access student grades, attendance, and additional information. Once enrollment is complete, the parent/guardian should receive a Parent Connection account log-in and temporary password.
- If you do not remember your Q-ParentConnection pin or password, please use the links under the Login button to receive that information.
- If you do not currently have a Q-ParentConnection account, please contact your child’s school.
ParentSquare
ParentSquare provides a simple and safe way for everyone at school and across the district to connect.
- Receive all district, school and classroom communication via email, text, or through the app.
- Communicate in your preferred language.
- Comment on school postings to engage with your school community.
- View the school and classroom calendar and RSVP for events.
- Easily sign up to volunteer and/or bring items.
- Securely receive report cards and other important information.
ParentSquare can be used on any device. You can download the free mobile app for iOS (iPhone) or Android or use the desktop version at www.parentsquare.com