Regular school attendance is essential to academic achievement and a positive classroom and school environment.
It is difficult to replicate classroom learning for a student who has been absent. Therefore, through the combined efforts of students, parents and the school, students must be encouraged to develop good attendance habits and attitudes.
Students are expected to attend all assigned classes each day. Teachers shall keep a record of absences and tardiness. A student’s grade may be affected by classroom activities missed during an unexcused absence.
Excused Absences
Students must remain on school grounds for the duration of the school day once they arrive at school, unless officially excused by the attendance office. Per school board policy, all student absences are excused for the following reasons:
- Participation in school-approved activity
- Absence caused by illness, health condition, family emergency
- Absence for parent/guardian pre-approved activities, vacations
- Absence for religious purposes
- Absence resulting from disciplinary actions or suspension
- Extended illness or health condition
Make-Up Assignments
In the case of an absence from class due to an excused absence, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher to make arrangements for completing missed work. Each teacher sets guidelines as to when the make-up assignments are due.
Homework Requests
In the case of an extended illness (after three consecutive days), parents may request homework through the attendance office 360-662-2330. Teachers require 24 hour notice to prepare assignments. Parents may pick up the requested homework in the office between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Unexcused Absences/BECCA Bill
The Washington State Compulsory School Attendance and Admission Law (also known as the BECCA Bill) requires a school district to take the following actions to ensure that children attend school, with the goal of reducing the number of unexcused absences by the student.
- Notify parents when unexcused absences occur
- Upon the fifth unexcused absence within a 30 day period or ten unexcused absences in a school year, the truancy law requires that the school district file a petition with the juvenile court (RCW 28A.225.030)
Excused Tardy/Late Arrival
Students who are tardy need to bring a written note or have a parent call the attendance office to verify the reason for the tardiness. Upon arrival to school, students must check in at the attendance window and get an admit slip to class. After three unexcused tardies per quarter, students will be subject to detention. Further tardy problems will result in additional disciplinary action. Our 24 hour attendance phone line is: 360-662-2330.
Excused tardies may include
- Medical/dental appointment
- Family emergency or other urgent business as excused by parent
- Illness
- Late bus or other emergency situations announced by the office
Tardy to Class
Students tardy to class are subject to discipline at the teacher’s discretion. The administration will intervene on chronic tardiness problems.
Consequences:
1st Tardy – Warning
2nd Tardy – Tardy notice sent home
3rd Tardy – Detention and call to parent (detention notice sent home)
4th Tardy – Detention and call to parent (detention notice sent home)
5th Tardy – Office referral
Note: Student tardies are cumulative for one quarter. Attendance can affect a student’s grade. Students who attend school on a regular basis demonstrate better academic skills.
Early Dismissal/Permission to Leave School Grounds
Students who need to leave school during the regular day must present a note from their parent requesting the time and reason for the early dismissal or a parent phone call, giving at least 60 minutes notice prior to the requested dismissal time, to the Attendance Office at 360-662-2330. Parents and/or students should arrange for early dismissal through the Attendance Office as early as possible.