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Attendance Policy




 

Swift Water Elementary Attendance Policy

 

When students arrive on time and attend school regularly, they set themselves up for success!

You can review the School Board Attendance Policy here: 3122/3122P

 

Compulsory Attendance: In Washington State, kids 8 years and older are required to attend school. The state’s truancy law, also known as The Becca Bill, ensures that parents or guardians are notified if their child has been absent. If a child has unexcused absences, the school and the family will work together to create a plan to address the situation.

Excused Tardies/Absences: If your child is absent or late due to illness, medical or dental appointments, those are considered excused. If your child misses school for any of these reasons, a note from the doctor’s office is helpful, and may be required after multiple absences or tardies.

Unexcused Tardies/Absences: Missing the bus, oversleeping, family vacations, or traffic are a few examples of things that aren’t considered excused. Please let us know ahead of time if you foresee any potential unexcused absences.

Planned Absences: If you know your child will be absent for 3 or more days in a row due to a family emergency, event, vacation, court order, or another non-school related reason, please fill out a planned absence form and send it to the school office. While this absence might still be unexcused, notifying us in advance can help avoid a truancy filing.

20+ Consecutive Days of Absence: If a student is absent for 20 consecutive days (whether excused or unexcused), they will be dropped from enrollment. If this happens, any choice transfers or special program transfers will also be canceled.

Tardies: If your child arrives late to school, they must check in at the main office.

Absences: When your child is absent, we ask that you either call the attendance line, send a message through ParentSquare, or send a written excuse when they return. Please include the reason for the absence and the dates they were absent. If we haven’t received notification by 11:00 AM, you’ll get an automated call and a ParentSquare message to remind you.

Leaving Early & Changes in Transportation: If you need to pick up your child early, please come into the building and sign them out. You’ll need to have an ID with you for security reasons. Also, if you need to make any changes to your child’s transportation plans, please notify us by 2:00 PM (via note, phone call, email, or ParentSquare message).

 

How We Support You with Attendance:

Tier 1 Support:

  • Teachers take attendance every day.
  • You’ll receive a daily attendance reminder call if your child is absent.

Tier 2 Support:

  • If attendance issues continue, we’ll schedule an advisory or intervention session with a counselor.
  • We’ll reach out for a meeting or phone call to discuss any barriers that might be affecting attendance.

Tier 3 Support (for students who are missing or not attending school regularly):

  • A meeting with parents will be scheduled to discuss the situation and create a plan together. A contract may also be developed to help improve attendance.

 

Unexcused Absences Actions by School

1 period or day

You’ll receive an automated phone call alerting you to the absence.

5 unexcused in 30 daysor 12 unexcused all year

 We will email or call to notify you about your child’s attendance.

7 unexcused in 30 days or 15 unexcused all year

Your child may meet with a counselor to fill out a survey about any barriers to attendance.

 

You’ll receive an email or call letting you know we’re concerned about the attendance issue.

 

We’ll schedule a parent/student conference with the school administration to create a plan moving forward.
18+ absences (excused or unexcused) in a school year

We may need to move forward with a truancy petition.

 

A Community Truancy Board meeting will be scheduled with you and your child, and we’ll discuss any barriers to attendance if that hasn’t already been done.
Excused Absences Action by School
1-5 absences in a month We’ll monitor the absences and reach out with a phone call if the absences are consecutive.
6-10 absences in a year We’ll send a letter to notify you of the concern and schedule a conference to discuss it.
10 absences in a year A doctor’s note may be required for future absences, and a Becca Petition may be started if needed.
18+ absences (excused or unexcused) in a school year

We may need to move forward with a truancy petition.

 

A Community Truancy Board meeting will be scheduled with you and your child, and we’ll discuss any barriers to attendance if that hasn’t already been done.