TOPS K-8

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TOPS K-8 School / Student Life / Attendance

Attendance

Reporting Absences

If your student will not be in school please contact the office to let us know.

Email: tops.attendance@seattleschools.org
Phone: 206-252-3510

Every Day Matters!

One of the most important things your student can do to achieve academic success—being at school each day! Regular attendance and arriving on time are key for your student’s academic success. Studies have proven that these two factors play a crucial role. Missing class not only affects your student but also disrupts the entire class. It’s important for the teacher and the class to make progress, which is challenging when students are frequently absent or late. We appreciate your partnership in our mission to support your student’s education and success.

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

Chronic Absenteeism and Tardiness

  • For every unexcused absence, the office will call parents to inquire about your student.
  • When your student has accrued 3 unexcused absences or tardies, we will call to inform you of their absence and tardy counts.
  • When your student has accrued 4 unexcused absences or tardies, we will send a letter, mandated by SPS, home.
  • Upon the accrual of 6 unexcused absences or tardies, school staff will call to discuss our concerns for your student’s attendance. This may include a home visit.
  • Upon the accrual of 8 unexcused absences or tardies, we will schedule a success team meeting with parent and school staff.

Late Arrival

Any student who arrives at 7:55a.m. or later will need to check in at the front office to get a late slip for class.

Early Dismissal

If you need to pick your child up early from school, please come to the front entrance (located on Franklin Ave E on the West side of the building) and ring the doorbell. Office staff will call your student’s classroom and ask their teacher to send them to the office. Please bring photo ID with you when checking out your student.

Excused Absences

Seattle Public School’s policy qualifies the following absences as excused:

  • Illness
  • Medical Appointment
  • Mental health
  • 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

Seattle Public School’s policy 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 school.

Planned Absences (5 or more consecutive days)

If you are planning on a long-term absence, please fill out the Pre-Planned Absence Form and return it to the TOPS office. the request will have to be approved by the principal before the student’s attendance can be excused.

If you have additional questions about attendance, please refer to the Seattle Public Schools Attendance page.

When to keep your student home for illness

While it’s caregivers and the student’s responsibility that the student attends school, it’s also their responsibility to stay home when they aren’t feeling well to ensure other classmates and educators don’t get sick too.

  • 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 healthcare provider.
  • Fever – Temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) 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 2 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. Students should stay home for 24 hours after the last time their vomited.
  • Rash – Bothersome body rash, especially with fever or itching. Some rashes may spread to others and should be checked by a healthcare provider.
  • Injury/Surgery – If students are unable to concentrate due to pain or pain medication, they should stay home. Please have your healthcare provider contact the school nurse to help your child safely return to school. Letting the school nurse know in advance of any planned surgery is 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 healthcare provider.

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:

Grades K-5 Truancy

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.

Learn more about K-5 Truancy Laws

Grades 6-12 Truancy

1st Unexcused Absence

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

Between the 2nd and 7th Unexcused Absence
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.

Learn more about 6th-12th grade Truancy Laws

How to Check Attendance

Parents and guardians can check their student’s attendance on The Source.

Log in to The Source

How to Report Student Absences

If your student is going to be absent, please contact your student’s school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school within two school days of your student’s return.

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 Us

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