Success in school depends on regularity of attendance. State law requires all children to attend school daily unless they are ill or there is an emergency in the family. Schools are required to act on any unexcused absences. Learn more about the consequences unexcused absences.
Excused absences are as follows:
- Illness
- Doctor’s appointment, family business
- Field trips
- School business
- Family vacations (A family vacation is only excused if there is prior written approval by the building principal. Please obtain an extended leave form from the office for any vacation of 3 days or longer.)
Absences
Our office keeps attendance records for each child. To help us with this task, we ask that you do the following…
- Telephone the school at 360-662-8400 or email us when your child will be absent before 9 a.m.
- If we do not hear from you, you will receive a telephone call at your home to notify you that we have your child absent.You must call or send a note regarding your child’s absence when they return to school.If we do not get verification of your child’s absence, within 2 school days, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.
As a means of instilling values, responsibility, and personal accountability, a student whose absence is not excused shall experience natural consequences of his/her truancy. A student may be suspended or expelled for habitual truancy. After two unexcused absences within one month a conference will be scheduled with the parents. After five unexcused absences in any one month or seven absences in total, a petition will be filled with juvenile court. Any student arriving after 9:10 a.m. must report to the office to receive an admit slip.
Tardy/Early Dismissal
Please call or email the office by 9 a.m. if your child will be late. You may order a hot lunch if you call by 9:00 am. Please send a note to your child’s teacher if you will be picking up a student for early dismissal. The school will call your child to the office when you arrive. Do not go to the classroom. Parents MUST sign students out from the office. NO CHILD WILL BE RELEASED FROM THE CLASSROOM until a staff member has verified their dismissal.