Attendance at Highland Park

One of the most important things your child can do to achieve academic success is also one of the most basic – being at school each day .  Research has shown consistent attendance and punctuality are two of the most vital factors influencing academic success.  Missing class not only affects your child, but it also has an impact on the entire classroom.  It’s difficult for the teacher and the class to build their skills and progress if students are frequently absent or tardy.

We kindly ask that you plan family trips during school breaks such as Winter Break, Mid-Winter Break, Spring Break, or Summer Break or several of the three-day weekends throughout the school year.  Likewise, if possible, it’s best to schedule your child’s doctor, dental, or orthodontic appointments before or after school.

If your child arrives to school after 7:55 a.m. they must stop by the office to check-in and get a tardy slip before going to class. If you know in advance your child will be arriving late (doctor or dental appointment, etc.), please call the attendance line at 206-252-8240.

Students arriving on late buses will not be marked late.

When to Stay Home

While it’s your child’s responsibility to attend school, it’s also their responsibility to stay home when they aren’t feeling well to ensure other classmates and teachers don’t get sick too.

If your child exhibits any of the following Please keep your child home from school and contact the attendance office at 206-252-8240 or email highlandpark.attendance@seattleschools.org

• Appearance/Behavior: unusually tired, pale, no appetite, hard to wake, or confused.
• Eyes:  If there is drainage, vision change, and/or redness of the eyelid, itching, pain or sensitivity to light. This may be a sign of “pink eye” (conjunctivitis), and the student should be checked by a health care provider.
• Fever: temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees C) or higher. Students need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school WITHOUT medications to reduce the fever.
• Bad Cold and/or Cough: Students need to be able to cover their cough to be at school. If a cough or cold persists for more than two weeks, the student may need to be seen by a health care provider.
• Diarrhea: 2 or more watery stools in 24 hours, especially if the student acts or looks ill. Students should stay home for 24 hours after the last watery stool.
• Vomiting:  vomiting 2 or more times in 24 hours. The student should stay home for 24 hours after the last time they vomited.
• Rash: Bothersome body rash, especially with fever or itching. Some rashes may spread to others and should be checked by a health care provider.
• Injury/Surgery: if students are unable to concentrate due to pain or pain medication, they should stay home. Please have your health care provider contact the school nurse to help your child safely return to school. Letting the school nurse know in advance of any planned surgery will be helpful.
• Still Have Questions about whether or not your student is healthy enough to come to school? Contact the school nurse or your child’s health care provider. Keeping ill students at home, encouraging frequent hand washing, and covering coughs protect everyone, including those with fragile immune systems. Students are expected to participate in all parts of the school day including recess or PE. If your doctor has restricted activity, please send a doctor’s note, for example: “No contact sports x 1 week.”

If you have additional questions about attendance, please refer to the Seattle Public Schools Attendance page or contact attendance at 206-252-8242 or by email: highlandpark.attendance@seattleschools.org

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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.
  • When is my child too sick for school?
• 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.
  • Compulsory Attendance Letters (translations available)
• 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