Attendance
Did you know that school attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than test scores?
We want our students to be present in the classroom learning and building positive relationships. We understand that students may need to be absent from school on an occasional basis, but we want to work with all students and families to manage attendance successfully!
What is Good Attendance?
Going to school on time, every day, is important! Consistent attendance will help children do well in school, college, and work. Good attendance is missing no more than 1 day of school a month, whether excused or unexcused.
Why is attendance important?
When attendance is good, students do well in school! Regular attendance ensure that students stay on track for high school graduation. Yes, even now! Developing good attendance habits now make your student more likely to graduate high school on time.
When do absences become a problem?
Satisfactory: 9 or fewer absences means your student can keep up and keep learning.
Warning Signs: 10 to 17 absences a school year means students will miss a lot and struggle to keep up!
Chronic Absenteeism: 18 or more days in a year (2 days a month) is enough to warrant meeting with the student and family to discuss any challenges that we may help overcome.
All absences must be reported to the school office
Attendance Line - 360-596-7603
Email - [email protected]
If contact is not made within 48 hours, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Both excused and unexcused absences may affect your child’s success in school and grade. Parents/guardians who do not call will be contacted. Students who are late without a parent’s or guardian’s knowledge will be considered tardy; and students who are absent without a parent/guardian notifying us will have an unexcused absence. All late arriving students are to report to the office with a note or phone call from their parent or guardian before going to class. Students late to class must have a pass. Repeated tardies will be addressed by assigning lunch detention and contacting parents. Students are truant when they leave the campus during the school day without permission or do not attend class. Students who are truant are subject to disciplinary action. Students who are unable to schedule medical and other appointments outside the school day, and must leave during the day, must bring a signed note from a parent or guardian to the office before school.
Excused Absences/Tardies
The following are valid excuses for absences from school:
- Participation in a district or school approved activity or instructional program;
- Illness, health condition or medical appointment (including but not limited to medical, counseling, dental or optometry);
- Family emergency, including but not limited to a death or illness in the family;
- Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction;
- Court, judicial proceeding or serving on a jury;
- Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview;
- State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28.A225.055;
- Absence directly related to the student’s homeless status;
- Absence resulting from a disciplinary/corrective action. (e.g., short- term or long-term suspension, emergency expulsion); and
- Principal (or designee) and parent, guardian, or emancipated youth mutually agreed upon approved activity.
A school administrator has the authority to determine if an absence meets the above criteria for an excused absence. Excessive excused absences totaling 20 or more in one school year may result in a doctor’s note being required and/or the filing of a court truancy petition.
Planned (pre-arranged) Absences (Click HERE for the Planned Absences form)
For an extended (3 days or longer) absence to be excused, a parent must make a request in writing to the principal prior to the absence. If the principal deems that the absence will be approved as per the above list, it will be recorded as a pre-arranged excused absence. Any absence from class may affect a student’s grade.
Unexcused Absences/Tardies
Students are required to provide an excuse from a parent or guardian in the manner noted by the school whenever they are absent. If the reason for the absence/tardy does not meet district guidelines, it will be deemed unexcused even if excused by a parent or guardian. Any student presenting a false excuse will be subject to the same corrective action that would have occurred had the false excuse not been used. A tardy is defined as up to 10 minutes late to class. Students who have three or more tardies within any of their classes during the school week will be assigned lunch detention the following week and a referral will be written. Being more than 10 minutes late for class constitutes an absence from the class. More than 30 minutes at the end of the day constitutes an absence for that period. Corrective action for unexcused absences/tardies will be progressive with steps such as the following:
- Automated calls will be placed to the home phone number for each absence.
- If the absence remains unexcused, a letter will be sent home notifying the parent or guardian
- Repeated unexcused absences will result in a conference held between the parent/guardian, student and principal or other school administrator.
The purpose of the conference is to arrive at an attendance agreement after discussing ways to reduce absenteeism such as: adjusting the student’s program; providing individualized instruction; assisting the student to obtain services needed; transferring the student to another school; or imposing penalties.
BECCA Law
Students ages 8-18 are required by law to attend school regularly. Court petitions must be filed on a student when they have reached 7 unexcused absences in a month, 10 unexcused absences in a year, or 20 excused absences in a year. We will work with these families and students to address hurdles to consistent attendance.
REMEMBER: All absences must be reported to the school office
Attendance Line - 360-596-7603
Email - [email protected]