Attendance

District Policy on Excused/Unexcused Absences

What absences can be excused?

Unplanned absences: when your child’s personal illness or injury, or the illness, injury or death of a family member, prevents your child from attending school, and you notify the school within 48 hours of the absences. The school may require a note from your child’s doctor if your child is absent due to illness or injury for an excessive number of days (10 or more during a school year) before excusing those absences.

Five days of a trip for a funeral can be excused.

Planned Absences

When you submit a request to the principal at least school days before the start of the planned absence, usually for a doctor or dentist appointment, religious holiday, or a special one-time event of a day or two. The school principal has the final say on whether your planned absence will be excused.

Absences due to disciplinary actions such as suspensions of your child are excused on District attendance records.

What absences are not excused?

Vacations and trips are not excused when school is in session. Families should plan vacations and family travel for when school is not in session. Going to another city, state or country to visit family or friends won’t be excused. Extra days before or after school holidays are not excused.

Missed Assignments

We require your student to complete missed assignments. It is up to the parent/guardian to make sure you receive the classroom work from the teacher and have your child complete it. More information about state and district attendance policies.

SPS Student Attendance

All children in Washington state have a constitutionally guaranteed right to an education. They are also legally required to attend school. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% of school, regardless of the reason — that’s 18 days in a school year!

Regular school attendance is the key to student academic success. Attendance has a dramatic impact on key milestones, including 3rd grade reading, 9th grade achievement, high school graduation, and life success.

Unexcused Absences and Truancy – WA State Law “Becca Bill”

If a student has unexcused absences, Washington state law requires that schools take specific actions:

5 excused absences in a month

Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.

10 excused absences in the school year

Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.

1st unexcused absence

Inform parent/Guardian in home language.

3rd unexcused absences

Schedule a meeting/conference with the parent/legal guardian and student. Convene 504/IEP/McKinney-Vento if applicable.

Between the 2nd and 7th unexcused absence

The school is required to take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.

7th unexcused absences within 30 days

School must either enter into a written agreement with the family, refer to District Attendance Office, or file a truancy petition in juvenile court.

15th unexcused absences in a school year

School must enter into a written agreement, if not done so yet. District Attendance Office will file Truancy Petition.

Learn more about K-5 Truancy Laws

1st Unexcused Absence

Must inform the parent/guardian there is an unexcused absence.

Between the 2nd and 7th Unexcused Absence

Must apply the Attendance Student Assessment and take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.
Attendance Student Assessment

3rd Unexcused Absence

Must schedule a conference to identify barriers, provide supports and resources.
Who should be at the conference?
- At least one school district employee such as a nurse, counselor, social worker, teacher, or community human services provider
- the parent/guardian/supportive adult
- the student
- If a student has a 504 or IEP and/or McKinney-Vento: The IEP team that created the program or plan is required.

Not later than the 7th Unexcused Absence

Enter into an attendance agreement between the school, parent, & student,
Refer to a Community Engagement Board (CEB), OR
File a Truancy Petition

7th Unexcused Absence

7th excused absence in a month and not later than fifteenth unexcused absence in a year: must file a truancy petition with Juvenile Court.

Learn more about 6th-12th grade Truancy Laws

How to Check Attendance

Parents and guardians can check their student’s attendance on The Source.

How to Report Student Absences

If your student is going to be absent, please contact your student’s school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school within two school days of your student’s return.

How can families help?

We miss your student when they are gone, and we value their contributions to their school. Please help us ensure your student attends regularly and is successful in school:

Have your child attend school unless they are truly sick, such as a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a contagious rash, any health conditions related to COVID-19 or other communicable diseases as defined in WA state law.
- When is my child too sick for school?
Schedule appointments and arrange travel for times when school is not in session.
Keep track of your child’s attendance. Missing school, excused or unexcused, puts your child at risk of falling behind.
- Compulsory Attendance Letters (translations available)
Maintain communication with your student’s school and teacher if additional support is needed or to discuss barriers that prevent your student from participation.
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Ensure that your child finishes their homework the night before.

Contact Us

Contact your school:

To report a student absence
If you have a question about an automated message you received
If you have general attendance questions

Contact the SPS Attendance Office:

If you have questions about truancy
If you have questions about an attendance letter you received from the district or court

SPS Attendance Office
attendance@seattleschools.org
206-252-0827
SPS Attendance Office webpage

Sacajawea Elementary