RBHS Attendance Policy

How to Report an Absence

Please contact the Attendance Office at 206-252-6354 or by emailing rainierbeachhs.attendance@seattleschools.org to report an absence. If you prefer to use Talking Points, please make sure you send your message to Ms. Alefaio, our Attendance Specialist. Thank you!

Show Up and Start on Time Protocols

Attendance is essential to the success of our scholars.  Teachers are required to take attendance each day accurately in accordance with District policy.  If your scholar arrives to school late or is absent, please be sure to contact the Attendance Office to excuse your scholar’s tardy or absence.

Tardies

The late restorative process begins after 3 unexcused tardies

• 3 – 5 unexcused tardies
  • Notice will be sent to scholar and parent/guardian. Scholar will meet with Attendance Intervention Specialist(AIS) and complete a reflection sheet.
• 6 or more unexcused tardies
  • Notice will be sent to scholar and parent/guardian. AIS will schedule a meeting with scholar and parent to complete an Attendance Intervention Plan. AIS will monitor attendance plan and inform parent of progress. Possible options include schedule change, wake-up calls, etc.

Unexcused Absences

• 1 unexcused absence
  • Notice will be sent to scholar and parent/guardian.
• 2 unexcused absences
  • Notice will be sent to scholar and parent/guardian. AIS will meet with scholar and complete a reflection sheet.
• 3 or more unexcused absences
  • AIS will schedule conference with family, scholar and admin to complete Student Attendance Agreement and Attendance Intervention Plan. AIS will monitor progress and share with family. Other options include possible loss of privileges to participate in extracurricular activities or events.
• 7 or more unexcused absences
  • AIS will revisit Attendance Intervention Plan with administrator, scholar and family and continue to monitor progress weekly. AIS will enlist support from Student Support Team and CBOs. Other options include loss of privileges to participate in extracurricular activities or events.
  • If a student has seven unexcused absences in any month or ten unexcused absences within the school year, and our supports and interventions haven’t helped get the student to school consistently, we are required to file a petition with the Juvenile court, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, Washington’s mandatory attendance law.

District Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE TAKING MANDATORY:  To ensure that the District is meeting its obligations under Washington’s compulsory attendance laws, it shall be the responsibility of each teacher to maintain accurate attendance reports. At the secondary level, teachers shall enter attendance into the Student Information System for each non-prep period within the first ten minutes of class each day.

Students with three unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires we schedule a conference with you and your child.

Students with five excused absences in any month, or ten or more excused absences in the school year, we are required to contact you to schedule a conference. If you have provided a doctor’s note or prearranged an absence, and a plan is in place so your child does not fall behind academically, a conference is not required.

Students with seven unexcused absences in any month or ten unexcused absences within the school year and our supports and interventions haven’t helped get your student to school consistently, we are required to file a petition with the Juvenile court, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, Washington’s mandatory attendance law.

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.
  • 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 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