Attendance
Attendance Procedures
Reporting Absences
If your child will not be in school please contact the office to let us know.
206-252-4300
cedarpark.attendance@seattleschools.org
Because teachers are busy teaching in the morning, please contact the office (not the teacher), to report an absence.
Excused Absences
SPS qualifies the following absences as Excused:
- Illness
- Medical Appointment
- Religious or Cultural Celebration
- Family Emergency
If your student has an absence that doesn’t specifically fit the above criteria, it may still be possible to excuse the absence. Please come and talk with us in the office and we will see what our options are.
Unexcused Absences
SPS qualifies the following absences as Unexcused:
- Family Trip or Vacation
- Unreported Absences
Unexcused is a legal term in this case, and does not indicate that you did not report your student’s absence to the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
SPS Attendance Information
SPS Student Attendance
All children in Washington state have a constitutionally guaranteed right to an education. They are also legally required to attend school. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% of school, regardless of the reason — that’s 18 days in a school year!
Regular school attendance is the key to student academic success. Attendance has a dramatic impact on key milestones, including 3rd grade reading, 9th grade achievement, high school graduation, and life success.
Unexcused Absences and Truancy – WA State Law “Becca Bill”
If a student has unexcused absences, Washington state law requires that schools take specific actions:
How can families help?
We miss your student when they are gone, and we value their contributions to their school. Please help us ensure your student attends regularly and is successful in school:
- Have your child attend school unless they are truly sick, such as a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a contagious rash, any health conditions related to COVID-19 or other communicable diseases as defined in WA state law.
- Schedule appointments and arrange travel for times when school is not in session.
- Keep track of your child’s attendance. Missing school, excused or unexcused, puts your child at risk of falling behind.
- Maintain communication with your student’s school and teacher if additional support is needed or to discuss barriers that prevent your student from participation.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Ensure that your child finishes their homework the night before.
Contact your school:
- To report a student absence
- If you have a question about an automated message you received
- If you have general attendance questions
Contact the SPS Attendance Office:
- If you have questions about truancy
- If you have questions about an attendance letter you received from the district or court
SPS Attendance Office
attendance@seattleschools.org
206-252-0827
SPS Attendance Office webpage
