Attendance
All Absences Must be Reported to the Main Office
Please report absences and late arrivals to the main office by telephone or email:
Main office: 206-252-1300
Attendance line (message only): 206-252-1302
Attendance email: adams.attendance@seattleschools.org
When reporting absences, please include your child’s first and last name, their teacher’s name, and a brief explanation of why they will be absent. For state reporting purposes, we need to know if a student is out for a medical reason or for travel or some other reason.
The office will follow up on any unconfirmed absences each day. At the elementary school level that means a phone call to a parent/guardian, or TalkingPoints text message. If we are unable to reach anyone, the absence is considered unexcused until confirmed otherwise. Parents have two days to contact the school to adjust an unexcused absence to an excused absence.
If your child is ill for more than three days or requires a medical leave, a doctor’s note may be required to excuse the absences.
District policy requires that an attendance intervention meeting with the parent is set up after three unexcused/unreported absences per month.
After twenty consecutive unexcused absences, a student is withdrawn from the school roster.
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.
- 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.
- 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