• Missing the first 8 days of school (excused or not) means the student will not be enrolled unless a written agreement is made to start later. 
• Students must attend at least one day before October 1 to stay enrolled.

• Students absent for over 20 consecutive days will not be counted as enrolled unless:
• There is a written agreement with the school that the absence will not harm the student’s progress.
• The student receives home/hospital services and remains enrolled in the district.
• Students who are absent more than 20 days without an agreement may me subject to unenrollment for non-attendance.
• Students who are absent more than 20 days without an agreement may me subject to unenrollment for non-attendance.

• School or district-approved activities or programs. 
• Illness, medical appointments (doctor, dentist, optometrist). 
• 5 or more consecutive days require a doctor’s note. 
• Extended medical absences over 3 days or recurring appointments need a Preplanned Absence form. 
• Family emergencies or bereavements (more than 3 days need a Preplanned Absence form). 
• Court appearances or jury duty (official documents required). 
• Visits for post-secondary schools, apprenticeships, or scholarships (Preplanned Absence form needed). 
• State-recognized search and rescue activities (Preplanned Absence form needed). 
• Absences related to homelessness, deployment of a parent/guardian, or student safety concerns (like bullying or threats). 
• Disciplinary or corrective actions. 
• Migrant status related absences. 
• Absences for faith or conscience reasons, up to 2 days per year (Preplanned Absence form needed). Including religious or cultural holidays or instruction. 
• Approved activities that support learning, community, or skills (Preplanned Absence form needed). 
• Unsafe weather conditions affecting school transport. 
• One civic engagement activity per semester with advance notice (Civic Engagement Form). 

• Early Dismissal need to be excused in advance, send an e-mail to chiefsealthhs.attendance@seattleschools.org,send a note with your student by the morning of the day of the Early Dismissal, or call the Attendance office at least 2 hours prior to dismissal. 
• Early dismissal due to illness (while at school) requires a release from the school nurse. The school nurse will contact and receive release authorization. Student must sign out at the Attendance office is mandatory before leaving school. 
• Students need an “Early Dismissal Pass” to leave school during a class period. Student can pick up their pass at the Attendance Office before school, at break or during lunch.  
• Students with “Early Dismissal Passes” can leave class at the time on their pass. The parent/guardian picking up the student does not need to come in to the Attendance Office to check out the student.  
• If you need to pick up a student during class time without advance (2 hours) notice, please come into the Attendance Office with your ID to sign your student out. Without advance notice, you will be asked to wait while we deliver the pass, as we do not call nor email during class time. To excuse the absence please provide note from Provider.   

If someone else picks up the student, they must be listed in the student record and show ID for safety.  

• Any absence not matching the excused reasons above is unexcused.
• Absences without a valid reason or proper parent notification are unexcused (e.g., family trips, oversleeping, missing the bus, babysitting).
• Leaving early without signing out is unexcused.
• Missing most of the school day counts as an unexcused (truant) day.

• Students MUST sign in at the attendance office EACH time they arrive at school late.  There is always a sign in sheet on the counter.  Record student name, the time of arrival and the reason for the late arrival. 
• Students who arrive to school after the bell rings will be marked tardy unless the late arrival is a SPS approved excusal reason. 
• Parent/guardian must notify the school within 2 days to excuse a tardy with a SPS approved excusal reason. 
• Schools may use tardies and early departures as part of attendance interventions 

• Submit a Preplanned Absence form at least 2 days before the absence. 
• It is not guaranteed to be excused just because it was planned. 

• Parent/guardian must notify the school within 2 school days after the student returns. 
• If absent 5 days in a row, a doctor’s note is required within 3 days of return. 

When do I come by the attendance window? 
When you arrive late to school you MUST sign in each time. 

When you need to drop off forms and or notes from parents and or pick up forms from the attendance specialist. 

Do I sign in at the attendance when I’m late (any period)? 
Yes, sign in at the attendance window when arriving late so that we can accurately reflect attendance. 

What do I do if I was in class and marked absent? 
Stop by the attendance window for an Attendance Correction slip. Teacher permission is needed to remove an absence or tardy. Or speak to your teacher to clear the mistake; your parent cannot clear/excuse the absence for you. 

Which absences need a Preplanned Absence form versus email or note? 
Scroll up to see Definitions (Seattle School District) Valid Excuses 

What if I forget to hand in a Preplanned Absence form before an absence? 
Your absences will stay unexcused (don’t forget to hand in – day before ok – otherwise it’s too late). 

What if I have recurring medical appointments and want to leave the same time, same day, each week? 
Make sure to have your parent/guardian send an email or note to the attendance office providing all necessary information along with a medical note from your medical provider to help support the recurring appointment. 

When is it too late to excuse an absence? 
Important: You now have three (3) days to update attendance from the date of absence.  

What if I’m feeling sick at school and want to go home? 
You must see the nurse, or their backup, and they will determine if you can be released to leave. They will contact your parent/ guardian and then notify the attendance office that you left early excused illness.  If you leave without seeing the nurse the absence will be unexcused. 

Can my parent call so I can leave early when I feel sick? 
So long as it meets the early dismissal guidelines… must be in advance (at least an hour). 

What if my parents can’t pick me up; can someone else? 
So long as “someone else” is listed as a contact in your record; or a written authorization is sent with the early dismissal request (email and phone calls are not accepted). 

What if I walk out of class, or go to the bathroom and stay too long? 
Your teacher will mark you ‘left early unexcused’ or ‘absent.’

How is attendance updated for in-school participation/events (class meetings, PSAT, College/Career day, various individualized testing, etc.)? 
Attendance is taken at the event, verified by organizers, then submitted to attendance for entry. Do not anticipate attendance updates the same day (check your SOURCE account to verify completion). 

How is early dismissal for sports handled? 
The coach submits a student roster to the attendance office; the attendance office will update attendance accordingly.  Parents cannot excuse students for sports early dismissals.