Attendance and Addressing Excessive Tardiness: Ensuring Student Safety and Academic Success

Regular attendance and punctuality remain critical for student success. Missing instructional time directly affects academic performance, and we continue to see concerns with students being in the hallways rather than in their assigned classes.

Support: We are committed to working with families to address attendance challenges and curb excessive tardiness. Students are expected to be in their assigned classrooms on time at the start of the school day and for each class period. If your child is struggling with arriving on time, please reach out so we can work together on solutions. If your child is experiencing difficulties getting to class on time, please reach out for support.

Impact of Absences and Excessive Tardiness: Students who miss class time lose valuable instruction and struggle to keep up with coursework. Excessive tardiness, particularly in the morning and throughout the day, disrupts the student’s learning and the classroom environment. Arriving late to class consistently affects a student’s ability to engage with the lesson and sets a disruptive tone for the class. Even a few missed minutes can disrupt learning and make it challenging to stay on track.

Hallway Presence and Safety: Students must be in their assigned classes during instructional time. Knowing where students are at all times is a matter of safety. Students must be in designated classrooms so staff can quickly locate them if needed. Unsupervised students in hallways create safety concerns and disrupt the school environment.

1. Complete the Garfield High School Attendance Form
   • The Form is automatically received and recorded after submitted.  Please DO NOT email a copy of the responses.
   • Ms. Hubbard MUST receive the form within TWO days of student returning to school.
   • If no reason is provided on Garfield High School Attendance Form the absence cannot be recorded for the student.
   • If your student is SICK, FIVE (5) or more CONSECUTIVE SCHOOL DAYS, a physician’s note is REQUIRED in order to excuse the absence(s). The note can be emailed to: garfieldHS.attendance@seattleschools.org
2. Please allow 48 hours for Attendance changes to occur on the students record.
3. If a student receives an automated messenger call OR email for period(s) they were NOT absent in, students must correct their attendance with their teacher.
   • For incorrect attendance entered by a teacher, the Attendance Office DOES NOT make changes.
   • Please check the Source AFTER three (3) days of talking to the teacher to make sure that the change has occurred.
4. Please email your student’s teacher(s) if you have concerns about ANY of your student’s unexcused absence(s) in a class.

1. Parent/Guardian completes the Garfield HS Attendance Form.
2. Student needs to complete the Early Dismissal form prior to their departure from the building. Students should show completed form to their teacher prior to leaving the classroom.
   • NOTE: Student must know their “Seattle Public Schools login.”

The QR code for the early dismissal form can also be found in each classroom or on the Attendance Office doors, Room 122.

1. Parent/Guardian completes the Garfield HS Attendance Form.
2. Student needs to complete the Late Arrival form prior to their departure from the building.
   • NOTE: Student must know their “Seattle Public Schools login.”

The QR code for the Late Arrival form can also be found in each classroom or on the Attendance Office doors, Room 122.

Parent/Guardian needs to complete the Garfield HS Attendance Form.

5 excused absences in a month

Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.

10 excused absences in the school year

Schedule a family conference, convene 504/IEP and/or McKinney-Vento team if applicable.

1st unexcused absence

Inform parent/Guardian in home language.

3rd unexcused absences

Schedule a meeting/conference with the parent/legal guardian and student. Convene 504/IEP/McKinney-Vento if applicable.

Between the 2nd and 7th unexcused absence

The school is required to take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.

7th unexcused absences within 30 days

School must either enter into a written agreement with the family, refer to District Attendance Office, or file a truancy petition in juvenile court.

15th unexcused absences in a school year

School must enter into a written agreement, if not done so yet. District Attendance Office will file Truancy Petition.

1st Unexcused Absence

Must inform the parent/guardian there is an unexcused absence.

Between the 2nd and 7th Unexcused Absence

• Must apply the Attendance Student Assessment and take data informed steps* to address barriers to attendance.
• Attendance Student Assessment

3rd Unexcused Absence

• Must schedule a conference to identify barriers, provide supports and resources.
• Who should be at the conference?
  • At least one school district employee such as a nurse, counselor, social worker, teacher, or community human services provider
  • the parent/guardian/supportive adult
  • the student
  • If a student has a 504 or IEP and/or McKinney-Vento: The IEP team that created the program or plan is required.

Not later than the 7th Unexcused Absence

1. Enter into an attendance agreement between the school, parent, & student,
2. Refer to a Community Engagement Board (CEB), OR
3. File a Truancy Petition

7th Unexcused Absence

7th excused absence in a month and not later than fifteenth unexcused absence in a year: must file a truancy petition with Juvenile Court.