Attendance
Queen Anne Attendance Information
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and having your student in their seat, ready to learn for the entire school day will benefit them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Let’s work together to make sure your child has great attendance and can get the most out of their learning opportunities this school year.
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.
We miss your student when they are gone, and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school in advance: queenanneES.attendance@seattleschools.org.
How We Can Work Together
- Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a contagious rash. Students must be free of fever (100 degrees) for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. If your student is vomiting, they must stay home for 24 hours after they have last vomited. If you are wondering if your student is too sick to attend school, visit the district Health Services site and contact your school’s nurse or your child’s health care provider if you have further questions.• Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child can use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before.
- Have a back-up plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
- Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance.
Excused vs Unexcused Absences
The following are valid excuses for an absence:
- Participation in a district or school approved activity or instructional program is excused.
- Illness, health condition or medical appointment (including, but not limited to, medical, counseling, dental, optometry, and inpatient or out-patient treatment for chemical dependency or mental health) for the student or person for whom the student is legally responsible is excused.
- Participation in a district or school approved activity or instructional program is excused.
- Family emergency, including, but not limited to, a death or illness in the family is excused.
- Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction is excused.
- An approved activity that is consistent with district policy and is mutually agreed upon by the principal or designee and a parent, guardian, or an adult is excused.
The following are not valid excuses for an absence:
- Absences caused by the student or parent oversleeping are not excused.
- Missing the bus or transportation problems are not excused.
- Family vacations or family trips during regular school days are not excused.
If you are planning a long-term absence, please communicate with your child’s teacher and the principal.
A “tardy” is defined as arriving late to school or to any class during the school day. A tardy may be excused or unexcused according to District definitions for excused and unexcused absences. Elementary students who arrive late or are picked up early usually miss core academic instruction in literacy/reading, math, science, and/or social studies. Missing this instruction may have a serious adverse effect on students’ academic progress whether the tardy is excused or not excused.
SPS Attendance
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:
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.
- 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.
- 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 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