North Kitsap High School

NKHS ATTENDANCE OFFICE

Chris Gentry
Attendance Secretary
CGentry@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:

1^st Offense:          Student conference with teacher – Warning

2^nd Offense:        Student conference with teacher – Warning

3^rd Offense:         Student conference with teacher – Warning

4^th Offense:         Student conference with teacher – Warning

5^th Offense:         Teacher assigns detention, Parents/Guardian contacted, enters                   NKDiscipline.

6^th 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.