Frequently asked questions - Attendance

The Snohomish School District's attendance goal is for students to have 95% or higher attendance, which means missing no more than nine (9) school days throughout the year.

A child's daily, on-time attendance is important to their 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?

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 (9) 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/guardians 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.

Absent longer than three (3) days?

• Click here to download/complete the Elementary Notification of Pre-Arranged Absence Form
• Click here to download/complete the Secondary Notification of Pre-Arranged Absence Form

Note: These forms should be completed and returned to your child's school at least one week before the planned absence, whenever possible. This gives the school time to review the request and communicate next steps.

AIM High School

• 360-563-3400 (attendance phone)
• AIM-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Cascade View Elementary

• 360-563-7070 (attendance phone)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Cathcart Elementary

• 360-563-7126 (attendance phone)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Centennial Middle School

• 360-563-4534 (attendance phone)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Dutch Hill Elementary

• 360-563-4450 (attendance phone)
• DH-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Emerson Elementary

• 360-563-7156 (attendance phone)
• EM-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Glacier Peak High School

• 360-563-7505 (attendance phone)
• GPH-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Little Cedars Elementary

• 360-563-2930 (attendance phone)
• LC-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Machias Elementary

• 360-563-4888 (attendance phone)
• MA-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Parent Partnership Program

• 360-563-4603 (attendance phone)
• PPP-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)

Riverview Elementary

• 360-563-4375 (attendance phone)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Seattle Hill Elementary

• 360-563-4683 (attendance phone)
• SH-attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Snohomish High School

• 360-563-4005 (attendance phone - English)
• 360-563-4030 (attendance phone - Spanish)
• SHS-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu
  (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ​​​​​​​

Totem Falls Elementary

• 360-563-4751 (attendance phone)
• TF-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Transition Center

• 360-563-3405 (attendance phone)
• TC-Attendance@sno.wednet.edu (attendance email)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

Valley View Middle School

• 360-563-4227 (attendance phone)
• Report through Skyward Qmlativ

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.

• If your child has three (3) 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 (5) excused absences in any month, or 10 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 (7) 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.

• Teachers are not required to provide assignments or instructional materials before a prearranged absence but may share assignments/work. Students will receive missed work and guidance after they return. Teachers may determine a time to review missed content and material with students as needed.

The school principal or designee reviews each request and determines whether it meets the criteria for an excused absence under Policy 3122.

A prearranged absence is any planned absence from school that lasts three (3) or more days. Families must submit a Pre-Arranged Absence Request Form so the school can review and determine whether the absence qualifies as excused.

• Click here to complete the Elementary Notification of Pre-Arranged Absence form.
• Click here to complete the Secondary Notification of Pre-Arranged Absence form.

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Missing several days of instruction can make it difficult for students to stay caught up, even when work is done later.

Vacations or travel may be excused if they meet the criteria in Policy 3122 and are approved by the principal. Families are strongly encouraged to avoid scheduling travel during instructional days.

Students must:

• Reconnect with teachers after returning
• Review missed material and content
• Complete required make-up work
• Stay on track with class expectations

Students are allowed to make up missed work/assessments for both excused and unexcused absences.

Middle and high school teachers post their assignments to Canvas accounts for students to access 24/7. Your child should check their Canvas accounts if they are absent to see what they are missing and what work might be due.

Teachers are not required to provide assignments or instructional materials before a prearranged absence, but may share assignments/work. Students will receive missed work and guidance after they return. Teachers may determine a time to review missed content and material with students as needed.

Shorter absences still require parent/guardian notification, but do not require the Prearranged Absence Request Form.

If your child will be gone more than three (3) days, please submit the Pre-Arranged Absence Request Form at least one week before the planned absence, whenever possible. This gives the school time to review the request and communicate next steps.

The form is available:

• On the school or district website
• In your school’s front office
• By request from school staff

The following actions will be taken for unexcused absences:

• After three (3) unexcused absences in a month during the current school year, a conference with parent/guardian will be held.
• After seven (7) unexcused absences in a month during the current school year or upon the 15th unexcused absence during the current school year, the school will schedule a conference to create an attendance plan and agreement with the student and family, as well as discuss other supports and actions to address attendance concerns. 
• If a student is absent for 20 consecutive days, the student shall be unenrolled and placed in holding. Upon return the family can re-enroll the student in school. There is no guarantee the student will be in the same class(es)/schedule or have the same teacher(s). 

If your child will be arriving late to school, please be sure to let the school office know by calling the attendance line. When arriving, your child must sign in at the front/attendance office before going to class.

If your child needs to leave campus early, please give us as much advance notice as possible. Our goal is to have your child ready to leave campus at the time you request. Any child leaving campus must have an early dismissal slip and must sign out with the front/attendance office. 

Please reach out to your school’s front office or attendance secretary for help with forms, timelines, or questions about the process.