This year, Willapa Valley Middle & High School is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Consistent attendance will help students do well in high school, college, and at work.
DID YOU KNOW?
* Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers. * Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
* Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
* Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
* By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
* By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
* Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
* By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
We miss your student when they are gone and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the Attendance Secretary, Perlene Cook, at 942-2006.
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time.
We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.
SCHOOL POLICIES AND STATE LAWS
It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Washington State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance, called the Becca Bill, requires children from age 8 to 17 to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children that are 6- or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements. More information can be found at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=28A.225
There are two main problems with attendance:
1. Unexcused absences
2. Chronic absences
Unexcused Absences We, the school, are required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student has an unexcused absence. Following an absence, students have 48 hours to have the absence excused through a note or phone call from a parent. Unexcused absences (after 48 hours) result in student detention, and students may not be able to make up their missed work.
If your student has three unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires we schedule a conference with you and your student to identify the barriers and supports available to ensure regular attendance. The district is obligated to develop a plan that may require an assessment to determine how to best meet the needs of your student and reduce absenteeism.
A conference is not required if your student has provided a doctor’s note, or pre-arranged the absence in writing, and the parent, student and school have made plan so your student does not fall behind academically. If your student has an Individualized Education Plan or a 504 Plan the team that created the plan needs to reconvene.
If your student has seven unexcused absences in any month or ten unexcused absences within the school year, we are required to file a petition with the Juvenile court, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, the mandatory attendance laws. The petition may be automatically stayed and your student and family may be referred to a Community Truancy Board, or you and your student may need to appear in Juvenile Court. If your student continues to be truant you may need to go to court.
Chronic Absences
A second absence problem is students who are chronically absent. Chronic Absenteeism is considered to be missing 10% or more days of school. This means that missing 9 days in a semester, or 18 days in a year is considered chronic. Any student missing 9 non-school related days per class in a semester, regardless of reason, will result in the student having an attendance review and receiving a formal grade check for their classes which will be sent home to parents. At 18 absences, regardless of reason, students will receive a drop notice. To prevent loss of credit, students will need to appeal to the attendance committee within 5 school days. The committee shall decide on follow up action which may include an attendance contract, referral to a Community Truancy Board, or loss of credit. The Community Truancy Board will meet with students, parents, and school administrators to examine causes for the frequent absences and recommend interventions to help students attend school more consistently.
Planned Absences
Students who have a planned absence need to have a pre-approved Pre-Trip form signed by all affected teachers and the principal or designee at least one day ahead of the absence. Students in sports have additional requirements in order to be able to participate on a day with a partial absence.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
* Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
* Don’t let your student stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
* Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
* Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
* Keep track of your student’s attendance. Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.
* Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.
* Talk to your students’ teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
* Encourage meaningful after school activities, including sports and clubs.
Please contact Nancy Morris, school principal, if you have questions or need more information.
