Policy: 3122

Section: 3000 - Students 

Title: Excused and Unexcused Absences

Status: Active

Adopted: September 9, 1981

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Excused and Unexcused Absences

Attendance

Regular, consistent, timely attendance is essential to school success, student learning and future employment habits. Life-long attendance behaviors begin with entry into school at the pre-school or kindergarten level, and continue through high school until the student graduates. When students arrive in the classroom, it is expected that they will immediately begin to prepare for the start of the day or the period, and be ready to engage in the learning process when the school day or period officially begins.

Students are expected to attend all assigned classes each day on time. Upon enrollment and at the beginning of each school year, the district shall inform students and their parents/guardians of attendance expectation, the benefits of regular school attendance, the consequences of truancy, the role and responsibility of the district in regard to truancy, and resources available to assist the student and their parents/guardians in correcting truancy. The district will make this information available online or, upon parent request, in writing. The district will make reasonable efforts to enable parents to request and receive this information in a language they can understand. Parents will be required to date and acknowledge review of this information either online or in writing at the time of enrollment and at the beginning of each school year.

It is recognized that there are rare occasions that necessitate a late arrival, early departure or legitimate excused student absence. Teachers will keep a record of student absences and tardiness. Determination as to whether an absence is a tardy, excused or unexcused absence is made by the school in accordance with state law and district policy. The role of the parent or guardian is to ensure that his/her children attend school and to verify that the student’s absence was for an excusable reason.

 

It shall be the responsibility of principals and school staff to enforce the district's attendance policies and procedures.

 

Cross References:
Policy 3230	Student Privacy
Policy 3241	Classroom Management, Corrective actions or punishment
Legal References:
RCW13.34.300	Relevance of failure to cause juvenile to attend school to neglect petition
RCW 28A.150.220	Basic education-Minimum instructional requirements-Program Accessibility-Rules
RCW28A.225	Compulsory Attendance and admission (new section added pursuant to SSHB 2449)
WAC 392-400-325	Statewide definition of excused and unexcused absences
OSPI Memorandum No. 052-11M	Unexcused Absences Definition

 

  

  

Adoption Date: 09.17.81

Ferndale School District

Revised: 03.24.83; 01.26.95; 10.26.95; 11.25.97; 01.28.14;04.25.17