NKHS ATTENDANCE OFFICE
Arleta Dowden
Attendance Secretary
ADowden@nkschools.org
(360) 396-3107
Prior Arranged Absence Form
NKHS Attendance Policy
We, the
school, are required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student
has an unexcused absence.
If your
student has two 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.
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.
You and your student may need to appear in Juvenile Court.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Set
a regular bed time and morning routine.
- Prepare
for school the night before, finishing homework and getting a good night’s
sleep.
- Find
out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required
immunizations.
- 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.
EXCUSED
ABSENCES: Students needing to miss school for an
approved reason (see Board Policy 3122) are to have their parent or guardian
contact the attendance office in advance for an excused absence. All students are to provide documentation to
the attendance office WITHIN 48 HOURS from a parent or guardian upon
return to school. Failure to provide necessary documentation may result in
disciplinary action.
STUDENTS WHO MUST LEAVE SCHOOL
DURING THE SCHOOL DAY MUST CHECK OUT (with parent approval prior to
leaving campus) WITH THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE (500 Hall). Please give the office 1-hour minimum notice so that
student and teacher may be aware of departure time by calling 360-396-3107.
Documentation
may be provided by:
A.
Calling the 24-hour attendance number:
396-3103
B.
A written note to the attendance office.
Phone and written documentation should include:
-Student’s first and last name
-Date of absence
-Parent/Guardian name and signature
-Reason
UNEXCUSED
ABSENCES AND TARDINESS: Absences for reasons other than those
described in board policy are unexcused unless arrangements have been approved
in advance by following the procedures outlined below (prior arranged
absence).
PRIOR ARRANGED ABSENCE:
A. PRIOR
ARRANGED PERSONAL ABSENCE
This absence form (available in the
attendance office) must be filled out if one or more days of absence are to be
requested by the parent. The form must
be completed by the student/parent and each of the student’s teachers.
B.
SCHOOL ABSENCE
Excused absences or absences for
field trips, athletic contests, or other absences created by approved school
sponsored functions have guaranteed make-up work privileges as per school
policy. A student more than 10 minutes late to class is considered absent.
WARNINGS: Students who have an excessive
number of absences may be asked to take the Washington Assessment of the Risks
and Needs of Students (WARNS). According to Washington State Center for Court
Research, “The purpose of the survey is to help adults at your child’s school
or agency to gather data to create a meaningful truancy intervention for your
child.”
BECCA BILL: State
law requires that a juvenile court petition be filed with the Prosecuting
Attorney when a student reaches seven (7) unexcused absences in a calendar
month or ten (10) accumulated truancies in a school year. The court then schedules a hearing and
requires the attendance of the child and the parents at the proceeding.
TARDINESS: Students arriving to class more than ten minutes late are
considered ABSENT. Unexcused tardies (less than five minutes late) may
be subject to disciplinary action as follows:
1st Offense: Student conference with teacher –
Warning
2nd Offense: Student conference with teacher –
Warning
3rd Offense: Student conference with teacher –
Warning
4th Offense: Student conference with teacher –
Warning
5th Offense: Teacher assigns detention,
Parents/Guardian contacted, enters NKDiscipline.
6th Offense: Administration Intervention
Chronic tardiness/absenteeism is a
safety risk and may result in an alteration of the student’s schedule. This may
include loss of credit for the class.
It
shall be considered a truancy (unexcused) if an absence is not cleared WITHIN
48 HOURS upon return to school.
Disciplinary action includes after-school detention, in-school
suspension and/or suspension*. Continued truancy will ultimately result in
withdrawal from school for the remainder of the semester, loss of semester
credits, and loss of all school privileges and/or referral to the Kitsap County
Juvenile Court (BECCA).
*Additional consequences may include:
loss of athletic eligibility, parking privileges, off-campus permits, and
participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
BUILDING HOURS: The
school is open for all students between the hours of 7:30am and 3:00pm on
regular school days. On Wednesday’s early release, the school is open for all
students between 7:30am and 2:00pm. Any
student occupying the building outside of the hours outlined must be under the
direct supervision of qualified school staff.
Trespass letters may be issued to individuals not adhering to this rule.
CAMPUS MOVEMENT: North Kitsap is a closed campus (Board Policy 3242), and
students are required to stay on campus for the school day once they arrive.
Students may not leave campus or visit their cars during the passing time. Students who have a reason to leave campus
during the day must have permission to do so. For medical or dental appointments,
students leaving during the school day must check out through the Attendance
Office. The absence must be verified with either written or phone
permission from the parent or guardian 1 hour prior to departure. The
attendance office will call home to obtain parent permission in case of illness
or emergency.
Off campus
passes are also considered an official excusal. Juniors and seniors in good standing may apply for an
off-campus permit sticker, which allows them to be off campus during their lunch period only. Students
are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner both on and off
campus. From the school’s point of view,
students who fail to behave according to the rules and regulations of the
school while on campus are not responsible enough to have off campus
privileges. Off campus passes may be revoked at any time.
Parents and guardians, in signing the permission form,
recognize that they are fully responsible for their student while off
campus. Students are reminded that an
off campus permit does not allow them to go off campus to smoke. All students are expected to follow and abide
by the smoking policy that states that smoking is not allowed within sight of
the school.
NKHS Student Handbook