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: queenanne@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.