Teaching
and Learning

Attendance Guidelines

NOTIFY THE SCHOOL: Parents are asked to notify the school attendance office when their child is absent from school.

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE TO PARENT/GUARDIAN: The school will attempt to notify parents daily by phone or voice mail whenever their child is absent from school. If parents would like to be notified at work, they should let the school know. It is important that current home and work phone numbers are on file at the school.

ATTENDANCE/HOMEWORK INFORMATION: Parents may get their student’s attendance information, as well as advice on obtaining homework for their student when he/she is absent, by calling the school’s attendance office.

PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCES: Parents are asked to notify the school in advance when they know their student will be absent. The district recommends one day’s prior notice for each planned day of absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCES: All student absences require a written excuse or direct parent contact with the school. Any student absence that is not excused within three (3) days of the student’s return to school will not be excused (unless approved by an administrator). If a student is absent for five (5) days or more due to illness or health conditions, the school will need a note from thier doctor or health provider, or the absence may be classified as unexcused. These same criteria will apply for any pattern of excessive absences. Valid reasons for excused absences include:

1. Illness or health conditions
2. Absences due to family emergencies
3. Absences for participation in a school-approved activity
4. Absences resulting from disciplinary action or short-term suspension
5. Absences for the observance of a religious holiday
6. Absences otherwise permitted by law

All other absences will be considered unexcused and may result in disciplinary action and/or may affect a student’s course grade.

ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES ATTENDANCE (Grades 7-12): Students must be present the entire school day in order to be eligible for practice or competition. Exceptions will be made for family bereavement or emergencies, medical/dental appointments, legal appointments, school-related activities, or other excused absences arranged in advance through a building administrator.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (TRUANCY/SKIPPING): Because all children in this state between the ages of eight (8) and eighteen (18) are required to attend school, the school district is required to take the actions listed below if a student has an unexcused absence. Under recent legislation, this also applies to students under the age of eight who are attending public schools.

1. On the first unexcused absence in any month, the school will notify parents by phone or in writing of their student’s absence. This notification will include the potential consequence of unexcused absences.

2. On the second unexcused absence in any month, a conference with both the parent and their student will be scheduled to discuss the reasons for his/her absence and to take steps to correct the situation.

3. Not later than the seventh (7th) day of unexcused absence in any month, and not later than the tenth (10th) day of unexcused absence during the current school year, the school is required to file a petition in Juvenile Court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010 “Washington Compulsory School Attendance Law” by the parent/guardian, by the student, or by both the parent/guardian and the student.

4. If these efforts fail and the child continues to have unexcused absences, parents may be held in contempt of court and be subject to fines.

Parents may contact their school principal or attendance office for assistance should they have attendance-related questions.