WRSD Attendance Policy Changes

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WRSD Attendance Policy Changes

Here are some reminders and some rather significant changes to the School District Attendance Policies that I would like to share with you. Below are just excerpts of changes and entire WRSD Policy will be sent via email to parents.

Washington State Compulsory Attendance Law specifies that parents/guardians have the primary responsibility for ensuring the attendance of their children at school.  The law further states that students shall be regular and punctual in attendance. The attendance procedures at White River School District are designed to assist parents/guardians in carrying out this responsibility.

Missing school for any reason negatively affects learning, achievement, and grades.  Daily attendance is imperative to a student’s effective and productive learning experience.  The sequential presentation of school learning requires a continuity of instruction. 

White River School District is committed to supporting students and families in attending school regularly and will therefore adhere to its legal obligation to report all parents/guardians and/or students who fail to abide by Washington State Compulsory Attendance Law (Becca Bill- SB 5439).

ABSENCES

Absences from school shall be classified as either excused or unexcused absence.

Elementary School: More than 30 minutes late to school and leaving more than 30 minutes early from school will constitute a half-day absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

• An excused absence is any absence that has the approval of both the parent/guardian and the school.
• To excuse an absence, the parent/guardian must call or send a note to the Main Office within 48 hours of the absence.  Please give the following information: student’s full name, date of absence(s), reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature (if a note). 
  
• If a parent/guardian does not phone or send a written note of clearance within 48 hours, the absence is considered unexcused.

EXCESSIVE EXCUSED ABSENCE PATTERN

•  A written statement from a doctor will be required on the 5^th consecutive day of absence and in situations where a pattern of excessive excused absences from school has occurred.  Absences not accounted for in this manner will be considered unexcused.
•  Students who meet these criteria will be required to have a parent attendance meeting with the school administrator and counselor to develop an Attendance Contract. 

LATE ARRIVAL (TARDY)

It is vital that student be on time to every class every day; when students are late to class, they disrupt the

instruction in the classroom.

• Elementary Schools: Your teacher will take attendance every morning.
• If you arrive after the start time, you MUST report to the office for an admission slip to class. 
• Students who are not in class when the bell rings are tardy. 
• Elementary- When a student has been tardy five times; it will be recorded in our system as an unexcused absence.