Please call our attendance line at 360-563-4375 if your child is sick, late or absent for any reason.

A child's daily, on-time attendance is important to his/her success in school. Did you know that as early as elementary school, students who miss just two days per month (which amounts to 18 or more days in a school year) are more likely to fall behind and less likely to graduate high school?

How to report your child’s absence

• An absence will be considered excused when a written note or phone call is received from a parent/guardian to the school attendance line/office within 48 hours of the absence. When reporting an absence, either in writing or by telephone, please leave the following information:
• Student name and grade level
• Dates and times of absence
• Reason for absence
• Parents/guardians may also notify the school of a child’s absence through Skyward/Family Access. Be sure you are using your parent/guardian login. Go to the Attendance tab of the portal and input your child’s absence information under the Absence Request section.

School attendance is required by state law

• State law requires children from age 8 to 17 to attend school.
• Children that are 6- or 7-years-old who are enrolled in school, must also attend school.
• Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending school if they meet certain requirements per state law (RCW 28A.225.010).
• If your child is going to be absent, please contact the school office.

School’s duties upon a student’s absences

• If your child has three unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires we schedule a conference with you and your child.
• In elementary school after five excused absences in any month, or ten or more excused absences in the school year, the school district is required to contact you to schedule a conference. A conference is not required if your child has provided a doctor’s note, or pre-arranged the absence in writing, and plans are in place so your child does not fall behind academically.
• If your child has seven unexcused absences in any month or 15 unexcused absences within the school year, we are required to file a petition with the juvenile court, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, the mandatory attendance laws. You and your child may need to appear in juvenile court.

Did you know?

• Attending school on-time, all day, every day will give your child the best chance of graduating from high school.
• Starting in kindergarten, missing on average just two days a month, whether excused or unexcused, makes it more likely that your child will not meet academic standards in math and reading by third grade.
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
• By 9th grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of high school graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

What you can do

• Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a contagious rash.
• Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
• Keep track of your child’s attendance. Missing more than nine days, excused or unexcused, could put your child at risk of falling behind.
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine as well as finishing homework and packing backpacks the night before.
• Have a back-up plan in place with family members, neighbors, or other parents for getting your child to school in case something comes up.
• If you are struggling to get your child to school for any reason, we are here to support you and work with you towards possible solutions. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office to schedule an appointment to discuss your child’s attendance.

Student appointments
Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to make medical and dental appointments for non-school hours. When an early dismissal must be made, a note should be presented at the attendance office before school. Elementary parents/guardians should come to the office to pick up their child.