3122

Policy No.

3122

Adoption Date:

July 11, 1984

Revised:

January 20, 1999

STUDENTS EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district. Students at times may appropriately be absent from class. The following principles shall govern the development and administration of attendance procedures within the district. (Where appropriate, references to "parents" in this policy shall include parents; guardians; and adult, emancipated or appropriately aged students.)

A.

Absences due to illness or a health condition; a religious observance, when requested by a student's parent(s); school-approved activities; family emergencies; and, as required by law, disciplinary actions or short-term suspensions shall be excused. The principal may, upon request by a parent, grant permission in advance for a student's absence providing such absence does not adversely affect the student's educational progress. A student, upon the request of a parent, may be excused for a portion of a school day to participate in religious instruction provided such is not conducted on school property, or involves the school to any degree.

B.

If an absence is excused, the student shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher in compliance with building standards, except that in participation-type classes a student's grade may be affected because of the student's inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.

C.

An excused absence shall be verified by the parent; adult, emancipated or appropriately aged student; or school authority responsible for the absence. If a student is to be released for health care related to family planning or abortion, the student may require that the district keep the information confidential. Students thirteen and older have the right to keep information about drug, alcohol or mental health treatment confidential. Students fourteen and older have the same confidentiality rights regarding HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

D.

As a means of instilling values of responsibility and personal accountability, a student whose absence is not excused shall experience the consequences of his/her absence. A student's grade shall be affected if a graded activity or assignment occurs during the period of time when the student is absent.

E.

The school shall notify a student's parent or guardian in writing or by telephone whenever the student has failed to attend school after one unexcused absence within any month during the current school year. The notification shall include the potential consequences of additional unexcused absences. A conference with the parent or guardian shall be held after two unexcused absences within any month during the current school year. A student may be suspended or expelled for habitual truancy. Prior to suspension or expulsion, the parent shall be notified in writing in his/her primary language that the student has unexcused absences.

A conference shall be scheduled to determine what corrective measures should be taken to ameliorate the cause for the student's absences from school. If the parent does not attend the conference, the parent shall be notified of the steps the district has decided to take to reduce the student's absences.

Not later than the student's fifth unexcused absence in a month the district shall enter into an agreement with the student and parents that establishes school attendance requirements, refer the student to a community truancy board or file a petition and affidavit with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010.

If such action is not successful, the district shall file a petition and affidavit with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010 by the parent, student or parent and student no later than the seventh unexcused absence within any month during the current school year or upon the tenth unexcused absence during the current school year.

F.

All suspensions and/or expulsions shall be reported in writing to the superintendent within 24 hours after imposition.

The superintendent shall enforce the district's attendance policies and procedures. Because the full knowledge and cooperation of students and parents are necessary for the success of the policies and procedures, procedures shall be disseminated broadly and made available to parents and students annually.

Cross References:

Board Policy

3230

Student Privacy

3241

Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment

Legal References:

RCW

13.34.300

Failure to cause juvenile to attend school as evidence under neglect petition

28A.225

Compulsory School Attendance

WAC

180-16-215 (4)

Minimum 180 school day year--Five day flexibility--Students graduating from high school

180-40-235

Discipline--Conditions and limitations

180-40-260

Long-term suspension--Conditions and limitations

	Policy No.	3122
	Adoption Date:	July 11, 1984
	Revised:	January 20, 1999

A.	Absences due to illness or a health condition; a religious observance, when requested by a student's parent(s); school-approved activities; family emergencies; and, as required by law, disciplinary actions or short-term suspensions shall be excused. The principal may, upon request by a parent, grant permission in advance for a student's absence providing such absence does not adversely affect the student's educational progress. A student, upon the request of a parent, may be excused for a portion of a school day to participate in religious instruction provided such is not conducted on school property, or involves the school to any degree.
B.	If an absence is excused, the student shall be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher in compliance with building standards, except that in participation-type classes a student's grade may be affected because of the student's inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.
C.	An excused absence shall be verified by the parent; adult, emancipated or appropriately aged student; or school authority responsible for the absence. If a student is to be released for health care related to family planning or abortion, the student may require that the district keep the information confidential. Students thirteen and older have the right to keep information about drug, alcohol or mental health treatment confidential. Students fourteen and older have the same confidentiality rights regarding HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.
D.	As a means of instilling values of responsibility and personal accountability, a student whose absence is not excused shall experience the consequences of his/her absence. A student's grade shall be affected if a graded activity or assignment occurs during the period of time when the student is absent.
E.	The school shall notify a student's parent or guardian in writing or by telephone whenever the student has failed to attend school after one unexcused absence within any month during the current school year. The notification shall include the potential consequences of additional unexcused absences. A conference with the parent or guardian shall be held after two unexcused absences within any month during the current school year. A student may be suspended or expelled for habitual truancy. Prior to suspension or expulsion, the parent shall be notified in writing in his/her primary language that the student has unexcused absences. A conference shall be scheduled to determine what corrective measures should be taken to ameliorate the cause for the student's absences from school. If the parent does not attend the conference, the parent shall be notified of the steps the district has decided to take to reduce the student's absences. Not later than the student's fifth unexcused absence in a month the district shall enter into an agreement with the student and parents that establishes school attendance requirements, refer the student to a community truancy board or file a petition and affidavit with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010. If such action is not successful, the district shall file a petition and affidavit with the juvenile court alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010 by the parent, student or parent and student no later than the seventh unexcused absence within any month during the current school year or upon the tenth unexcused absence during the current school year.
F.	All suspensions and/or expulsions shall be reported in writing to the superintendent within 24 hours after imposition.

Board Policy	3230	Student Privacy
	3241	Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment

RCW	13.34.300	Failure to cause juvenile to attend school as evidence under neglect petition
	28A.225	Compulsory School Attendance
WAC	180-16-215 (4)	Minimum 180 school day year--Five day flexibility--Students graduating from high school
	180-40-235	Discipline--Conditions and limitations
	180-40-260	Long-term suspension--Conditions and limitations