Attendance Policy

Glacier Middle School believes that regular school attendance is essential for an effective and productive learning experience. The sequential presentation of school learning requires a continuity of instruction. The maximum benefits for each individual child can be achieved only from participation and interaction in daily activity. Regular school attendance is both encouraged and mandated. The primary responsibility for adherence to regular attendance rests with the student’s parents/guardians and the individual student. 

 

Absences from school shall be classified as either excused absences or an unexcused absence. Four or more absences from our seven-period day (Grizz Time included) constitute a full-day absence. 

 

Board Policy 3122 – Excused and Unexcused Absences Definition of Absence WAC 392-401-015A states that the definition of an absence: 1. A student is absent when they are: a. Not physically present on school grounds; and b. Not participating in the following activities at an approved location: i. Instruction; ii. Any instruction-related activity; or iii. And other district or school approved activity that is regulated by an instructional/academic accountability system, such as participation in district-sponsored sports. 

 

For every absence, the parent/guardian must phone or send a written note of clearance within 48 hours to the main office that indicates the date and reason of the absence. If a parent/guardian does not phone or send a written note of clearance within 48 hours, the absence is considered unexcused.

 

Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district. At times, students may be appropriately absent from class or not able to participate remotely. School staff will keep a record of absence and tardiness, including a record of excuse statements submitted by a parent/guardian, or in certain cases, students, to document a student’s excused absences. The following principles will govern the development and administration of attendance procedures within the district.

 

An unexcused absence is when a student is absent from school and the parent or guardian has not called to inform the school of the reason for the absence. An excused absence is when a student is absent from school and you communicate with the office. Our procedure for handling unexcused absences is as follows: 

1. One unexcused absence in a month – The school will 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 will include the potential consequences of additional unexcused absences. The school will make reasonable efforts to provide this information in a language the parent understands.
2. Three unexcused absences in a month - The school will hold a conference with the parent or guardian after three unexcused absences within any month during the current school year. The conference will analyze the causes of the student’s absences and develop a plan that identifies student, school, and family commitments to reduce the student’s absences from school. If the parent does not attend the conference, the school official may still hold the conference with the student. However, the school will notify the parent of the steps the district has decided to take to eliminate or reduce the student’s absences.
3. Seven unexcused absences in a month – Not later than the student’s seventh unexcused absence in a month the district will 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.
4. Fifteen unexcused absences in a school year – If such action is not successful, the district will 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 fifteenth unexcused absence during the current school year.

BECCA Bill (RCW 28.A225.010)

Not later than the student’s seventh unexcused absence in a month the district will 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. 6. If such action is not successful, the district will 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 fifteenth unexcused absence during the current school year.

 

Students are expected to be on time to school and class. A student will be considered tardy if they are not physically in the classroom by the completion of the bell. Students that demonstrate a pattern of truancy are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the “refusal to cease prohibited behavior” section of the student handbook. 

 

Any absence, which has been pre-approved through the appropriate school procedure, is classified as a “planned absence.” To request a prearranged absence, obtain and complete the planned absence form at least three days before the absence. If the planned absence is declined, administration will contact parents/guardians. Planned absences must be approved; otherwise, the absence will be considered unexcused. Students must meet the following criteria in order to request a planned absence:

1. Student must be in good academic standing.
2. Student has no unexcused absences or truancies and planned absences may not exceed 5 per semester.
3. Student must then obtain the signature of a parent/guardian.
4. The completed form must be submitted to the main office 3 days in advance of the planned absence.