Attendance, Responsibility,
and School Success
Research
shows us that prompt and regular school attendance is an important
key to student success
in school. Each student in the West Valley School
District , according to his/her level of maturity, is expected to
demonstrate respect, concern, and caring for all staff, students,
and community… follow the school and District rules…and
to conduct him/herself in a responsible manner as a member of the
school community. An important part of this goal is prompt and
regular school attendance by all students.
With
this in mind, we understand there are sometimes illnesses and emergencies,
which may cause your child to miss school. However, please pre-arrange
all other absences with the school office and plan on having your
child collect work from his or her teacher(s) so that they will
miss as little classroom instruction as possible.
Community Attendance Boards Assist Students
and Parents
An
important learning goal of the West Valley School District is to teach students to be responsible for
themselves. Prompt and regular school attendance is closely tied
to this important goal as students prepare for their next educational
level or the world of work. To further our goal, we have formed
a Community Attendance Review Board (CARB) designed to review student
cases, K-12, of excessive absences or tardiness. An appearance before
the CARB would hopefully prevent referral to the Yakima County Juvenile
Court. More specific information related to our CARBs may be obtained
through any of our school offices.
Student Attendance Laws
Washington
law holds students ages 6 through
18 years of age and their parent(s) / guardian(s) accountable
for the student’s attendance. Under State law RCW 28A.225.010,
school districts are required to petition the Juvenile Court for
legal action after a student has FIVE unexcused absences in a
calendar month OR TEN unexcused absences in a year. Parents may
also be fined $25 a day for their child’s unexcused absences.
West Valley School District’s policy is more restrictive,
counting one period of unexcused absence as one (1) day.
District Guidelines for Excused Absences:
1. Absence
due to illness or health conditions, family emergency or religious
purposes.
2. Pre-arranged absences of parent-approved
activities when also approvedby school principal.
3. Extended illness due to verified health
condition.
4. Participation in school-approved activity.
5. Absences resulting from disciplinary actions
or short-term suspensions.
District Guidelines for
Unexcused Absences
Please call the school any day your child will
be absent.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit excuses within 48 hours
of the absence. Only absences which meet District standards will
be excused. School staff will communicate (e.g., conferences, letters,
telephone calls) with parents/guardians regarding student absences. An absence which does not fit the above
definitions will be considered a truancy even though an excuse is
submitted.
Daily Attendance Counts!
Please help us
show your child that daily
attendance is important and that you are willing to help
him/her be successful by planning vacations and other appointments
around the school district instructional calendar.
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