College Place High School

Attendance Policy Summary

Regular and punctual attendance is vital to your child’s progress. Washington State law requires that children attend school. We are required, by law, to track absences and identify them as excused and unexcused.

EXCUSED ABSENCES include illness, medical or dental appointments, religious observances and family emergencies.

FAMILY VACATIONS should be planned for non-school days. If there is a special reason for an absence on a school day (e.g. family trip), please print/pick up and complete a Request for Excused Absence form from the Office at least one week prior to the absence and return to the Office. Your child’s teacher will review your situation to determine whether the absence will adversely affect learning. Based on this information, the principal/assistant principal will determine whether the absence will be excused or unexcused. Prearranged absences due to vacation for more than five days in a school year will not be approved. Failure to follow procedure will result in an unexcused absence. Students may be approved for five (5) prearranged absences per school year.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: State law requires that we follow specific steps for unexcused student absences, including parent conferencing. Students who have ten unexcused absences fall under the BECCA law and must be referred to the courts.

MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS: When your child returns from an excused absence, the teacher will provide make-up assignments, as appropriate. Make-up assignments are not provided in advance.

Any other missed days moving forward for non-school reasons or those outside the VALID EXCUSE POLICY will be unexcused absences.