Attendance
Salmon Bay Attendance Policies
Student Absences
The school day begins at 8:55 a.m. for K-8th grade. Students should be in their classroom ready to begin work when the school day begins. If your student arrives after 8:55 they will need to enter the building on 65th street and stop by the office to sign in and get a tardy slip.
To report your child absent, please email us at: salmonbay.attendance@seattleschools.org or call us at 206-252-1720. When reporting your child absent, please include first and last name and the nature of your student’s absence.
Multiple Day Planned Absences
If your student is going to miss more than two school days, please fill out the Planned of Absence Form and submit this form to the main office at least one week in advance of the absence. Planned absences can be excused for medical appointments, religious or other one-time events. Family vacations or family trips during regular school days are unexcused.
Picking up students for Appointments
If you are picking up a student for an appointment, please call the main office 5-10 minutes before your arrival so we can call your student down for pick-up. It gets quite busy, and a call serves as a great reminder to us and helps us keep everything moving on time.
Middle School Students can sign themselves out and meet you at the exit of your choice. Elementary Students should be met at the main office by a parent and signed out. If students are returning to school, they can enter the building on 65th and sign themselves in at the main office.
If you have any questions regarding attendance please contact our Attendance coordinator, Ileana De Leon igdeleonvill@Seattleschools.org.
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