Attendance Policies and Procedures
Consistent attendance is essential for academic progress and is of great importance for a student’s academic and occupational success. Attendance will be taken daily and records kept in the office. Most classroom experiences cannot be duplicated on an individual basis; an absent student loses the experience of lecture, discussion and participation forever.
When a child must be home, please call the office to let the school know. A written excuse is requested on the child’s first day back.
Absence from school shall be classified as either an excused absence or an unexcused absence/truancy.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
An absence is granted for personal illness or injury, serious family illness, quarantine, death in the family, or absences which are due to extraordinary or unusual circumstances, after the parent/guardian provides notification of the dates and reasons for the missed days. Suspension from school is an excused absence. Court appearance, religious observance and school-related field trips are also excused absences. It shall be the responsibility of the parent and/or student to schedule medical, dental, or legal appointments during non-school hours whenever possible. However, if attending a medical appointment, bring verification from the medical provider. Excused absences shall not be permitted if deemed to cause a serious adverse effect upon the student’s educational progress. (RCW 28A.225.010 (d))
Certain educational experiences are unique and it may not be possible to replicate them. An alternative assignment of equal value may be provided if possible. Make-up work will be provided by the teacher for an excused absence at the request of the student or parent/guardian.
Excused absences shall require notification from the parent or guardian by phone or written note within 48 hours of the student’s return to school.
Excused Absence Pattern Doctor’s notes may be required if a student does not attend school regularly. A parent conference with the student, counselor, and an administrator will be schedule to develop an Attendance Contract.
PREARRANGED ABSENCES
In some cases, certain experiences may provide students with valuable educational exposure, which the school cannot duplicate and should not be denied the student. In all such cases, prior arrangements with the school, a minimum of 24 hours, are to be made for the length of the absence and the student is required to complete coursework for credit or grade.
It is the responsibility of the parent and student to request make-up work from the teacher regarding assignments missed during an excused absence. Students who need assignments due to a short-term absence should contact the office, which will request work from the student’s teachers. Assignments can be picked up 24 hours after the request. If a student becomes seriously ill or homebound, the parent/guardian must contact the school help the parent arrange for home tutoring. If a student is confined to home or hospital for an extended period, whenever practical, the school will arrange for the student to complete assignments off campus upon request.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (TRUANCY)
Students are expected to attend assemblies, class meetings, and all scheduled classes or events each day. A student whose absence is not excused shall experience the school consequences of his/her unexcused absence, and teachers are not obligated to provide make-up work. A student is considered truant who misses any or all of a school day without the school’s permission and without the parent’s prior knowledge.
BECCA BILL
After seven unexcused absences in one month or ten in one school year, we are required by the state to file a truancy petition with the Juvenile Court System. A pattern of truancy is considered a criminal offense by the courts and consequences can include time at Remann Hall, a fine of $25.00 for each absence, and/or required community service for both the parent and student.
LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL
Because schools are held liable for student safety, any time a student arrives late to school or leaves early from school, he/she must check in and out through the office. Students may not leave campus without prior approval.
TARDIES
It is vital to a good education that students are in class on time. A student will be marked as tardy if he/she arrives at the workstation after class begins. Excessive tardiness will be cause for disciplinary action. Teacher will notify parents/students if additional tardy expectations are in place. Tardiness may negatively affect the student’s grades.