Attendance Office

Report a Student Absence

Notice: We will not be accepting Change in Dismissal requests during the first month of school as students get accustomed to their regular after-school dismissal plans.

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Attendance Matters!

One of the most important things your child can do to achieve academic success is also one of the most basic — being at school each day.  Research has shown consistent attendance and punctuality are two of the most vital factors influencing academic success.  Missing class not only affects your child but it also has an impact on the entire classroom.  It’s difficult for the teacher and the class to build their skills and progress if students are frequently absent or tardy. 

We kindly ask that you plan family trips during school breaks such as Winter Break, Mid-Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer Break, or several of the three-day weekends throughout the school year.  Likewise, it’s best to schedule your child’s doctor, dental, or orthodontic appointments before or after school if possible. 

Arriving Late

If your child arrives at school after 7:55 a.m., they must stop by the office to check in and get a tardy slip before going to class. If you know in advance your child will be arriving late (doctor or dental appointment, etc.), please completed a Student Absence Form a head of time. This will save a phone call from the front office! Students arriving on late buses will not be marked late.

Leaving Early

If your child needs to leave school early for any reason, please completed a Change of Dismissal Form by 9 a.m. on the day they will be leaving before the dismissal bell at 2:25 p.m. (1:10 p.m. on Wednesdays). The adult picking up the student will need to ring the bell at the front entrance to the school. One of our office staff will greet you, call your student down to the front, and sign them out. Only adults listed as emergency contacts for your student will be allowed to sign them out from school.

When to Stay Home

While it’s your student’s responsibility to attend school, it’s also their responsibility to stay home when they aren’t feeling well to ensure other classmates and teachers don’t get sick too. In the age of COVID-19, it’s essential you keep your student home if they display any of the following symptoms.

COVID-19 Symptoms

• Chills or Fever of 100 F (37.8 C) or Higher
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Sore Throat
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Congestion or Runny Nose
• Diarrhea
• New Loss of Taste or Smell
• Muscle or Body Aches
• Difficulty Breathing

Other Illness/Sickness or Injury/Surgery

Please also keep your student home for any other illness/sickness or injury/surgery. If you have questions, please get in touch with our attendance secretary at 206-252-9200.

• Appearance & Behavior: unusually tired, pale, no appetite, hard to wake, or confused.
• Eyes:  If there is drainage, vision change, and/or redness of the eyelid, itching, pain or sensitivity to light. This may be a sign of “pink eye” (conjunctivitis), and the student should be checked by a health care provider.
• Rash: Bothersome body rash, especially with fever or itching. Some rashes may spread to others and should be checked by a healthcare provider.
• Injury/Surgery if students are unable to concentrate due to pain or pain medication, they should stay home. Please have your healthcare provider contact the school nurse to help your child safely return to school. Letting the school nurse know in advance of any planned surgery will be helpful. Students are expected to participate in all parts of the school day, including recess or P.E. If your doctor has restricted activity, please send a doctor’s note, for example: “No contact sports for 1 week.”

If you have additional questions about attendance, please refer to the Seattle Public Schools Attendance page