Grades and Attendance

Attendance Policy Summary

Regular and punctual attendance is vital to a student's progress. Washington State law requires that children attend school. We are required, by law, to track absences and identify them as excused or unexcused.

EXCUSED ABSENCES include illness, medical or dental appointments, religious observances and family emergencies. Please report your child’s absence or late arrival prior to the start of the school day.

FAMILY VACATIONS should be planned for non-school days. If there is a special reason for an absence on a school day (e.g. family trip, club sport/event), please have your student pick up a GREEN pre-arranged absence form at the attendance desk in the main office. The completed form must be turned in one-week prior to the date(s) of absence. Teachers will sign the form (and add notes if needed), parents/guardian will sign and then the student will turn it in for approval. The principal and /or assistant principal will sign last. Pre-arranged absences due to personal use for more than 5 days in a school year will not be approved. Failure to follow procedure will result in an unexcused absence. Student may be approved for up to 5 approved days per year. 

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: State law requires that we follow specific steps for unexcused student absences, including parent conferencing. Students who have ten unexcused absences fall under the BECCA law and must be referred to the courts.

MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS: When your student returns from an excused absence, the teacher will provide make-up assignments, as appropriate. Make-up assignments are not provided in advance.

Any other missed days moving forward for non-school reasons or those outside the valid excuse policy will be unexcused absences.

View Policy 3122

Pre-Arranged Absences

For activities known in advance (vacations, non-SHS sports, college visits, etc.) a student:

• Picks up a pre-arranged absence form from the attendance office.

• Completes the form, including signatures from parents/guardians and teachers.

• Returns the form to the attendance office a minimum of two full days prior to the intended absence(s) to allow sufficient time for administrator approval.

• Up to 5 days of pre-arranged absences will be excused per student per school year. Any additional pre-arranged absence requests will result in unexcused absences.