• Students must attend at least one day before October 1 to stay enrolled.
• Missing the first 8 days of school (excused or not) means the student will not be enrolled unless a written agreement is made to start later.

• Students absent for over 20 consecutive days will not be counted as enrolled unless:
• There is a written agreement with the school that the absence will not harm the student’s progress.
• The student receives home/hospital services and remains enrolled in the district.

Students who are absent more than 20 days without an agreement may me subject to unenrollment for non-attendance.

Students who are absent more than 20 days without an agreement may me subject to unenrollment for non-attendance.

• School or district-approved activities or programs.
• Illness, medical appointments (doctor, dentist, optometrist).
• 5 or more consecutive days require a doctor’s note.
• Extended medical absences over 3 days or recurring appointments need a Preplanned Absence form.
• Family emergencies or bereavements (more than 3 days need a Preplanned Absence form).
• Religious or cultural holidays or instruction.
• Court appearances or jury duty (official documents required).
• Visits for post-secondary schools, apprenticeships, or scholarships (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• State-recognized search and rescue activities (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• Absences related to homelessness, deployment of a parent/guardian, or student safety concerns (like bullying or threats).
• Disciplinary or corrective actions.
• Migrant status related absences.
• Absences for faith or conscience reasons, up to 2 days per year (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• Approved activities that support learning, community, or skills (Preplanned Absence form needed).
• Unsafe weather conditions affecting school transport.
• One civic engagement activity per semester with advance notice (Preplanned Absence form).

• Excused absences allow students to make up missed work within reasonable time limits.
• Grades may be affected in participation-based classes if activities cannot be made up.

• Parents/guardians must notify Attendance Office in writing, verbally, or electronically before the student leaves.
• Students get a Temporary Early Dismissal pass and must sign out at Attendance before leaving campus.
• Early dismissal due to illness requires nurse approval and signing out at Attendance.
• If someone else picks up the student, they must be listed in the student record and show ID for safety.

• Any absence not matching the excused reasons above is unexcused.
• Absences without a valid reason or proper parent notification are unexcused (e.g., family trips, oversleeping, missing the bus, babysitting).
• Leaving early without signing out is unexcused.
• Missing most of the school day counts as an unexcused (truant) day.

• Schools may use tardies and early departures as part of attendance interventions.
• Arriving late to school or class counts as tardy.
• Parent/guardian must notify the school within 2 days to excuse a tardy.

• Submit a Preplanned Absence form at least 3 days before the absence.
• It is not guarenteed to be excused just because it was planned.

• Parent/guardian must notify the school within 2 school days after the student returns.
• If absent 5 days in a row, a doctor’s note is required within 3 days of return.

Q: What is the biggest change with Attendance?
A: Important: No phone calls or voicemails will be accepted to update attendance – send email or written note.

Q: When do I come by the attendance window?
A: Important: Signing in (late arrival) and out (early dismissal) and to drop off forms and notes from parents.

Q: Do I sign in at the attendance when I’m late (any period)?
A: Yes, sign in at the attendance window when arriving late so that we can accurately reflect attendance.

Q: What do I do if I was in class and marked absent?
A: Stop by the attendance window for an Attendance Correction slip. Teacher permission is needed to remove an absence or tardy. Or speak to your teacher to clear the mistake; your parent cannot clear/excuse the absence for you.

Q: Which absences need a Preplanned Absence form versus email or note?
A: Scroll down to see Definitions (Seattle School District) Valid Excuses

Q: What if I forget to hand in a Preplanned Absence form before an absence?
A: Your absences will stay unexcused (don’t forget to hand in-day before ok-otherwise it’s too late).

Q: What if I have recurring medical appointments and want to leave the same time, same day, each week?
A: Make sure to turn in a Preplanned Absence form (extended medical) with the information; each semester.

Q:When is it too late to excuse an absence?
A: Important: You now have two (2) days to update attendance from the date of absence. This is a new update.

Q: What happens if I leave school and don’t sign out?
A: Your absence will remain unexcused.

Q: What if I’m feeling sick at school and want to go home?
A: You must see the nurse, or her backup, and get a release to leave. If you leave without the pass from the nurse (left at attendance), the absence will be unexcused.

Q: Can my parent call so I can leave early when I feel sick?
A: So long as it meets the early dismissal guidelines… must be in advance (at least an hour).

Q: What if my parents can’t pick me up; can someone else?
A: So long as “someone else” is listed as a contact in your record; or a written authorization is sent with the early dismissal request (email and phone calls are not accepted).

Q: What if I walk out of class, or go to the bathroom and stay too long?
A: Your teacher may mark you left early or absent and it can stay unexcused. If you miss more than 10 minutes of class, you are considered absent.

Q: How is attendance updated for in-school participation/events (class meetings, Link Crew, PSAT, College/Career day, various individualized testing, etc.)?
A: Attendance is taken at the event, verified by organizers, then submitted to attendance for entry. Do not anticipate attendance updates the same day (check your SOURCE account to verify completion).

Q: How is early dismissal for sports handled?
A: The coach submits a list to the attendance office; the list is distributed to teachers; the teachers dismiss the student; the attendance will be updated by next day at latest. Parents cannot excuse students for sports early dismissals.