• ATTENDANCE LINE: 206-842-2918

     

    Every Day Counts!

    Our goal is for every student to be in every class, every day. 

    While we encourage sick students to stay home, rest, and recover, we expect all healthy students to make it to every class every day.  One or two missed classes every month adds up quickly, and research shows that attendance is a critical factor in determining future success.  Additionally, at BHS our staff pays close attention to the social, emotional, and physical needs of our students, and we look to attendance as a critical data point.  Attendance can be a signal that lets us know when a student needs support.  

    How can you help?

    Encourage your student to make it to class on time.  Walking into class five or ten minutes late means missed instruction time.  Please try to drop your student off with plenty of time to make it to class, encourage your student to leave home earlier to beat traffic and parking delays, or send your student on the BISD bus for a guaranteed on-time arrival.  

    Schedule appointments for outside of school hours.  We understand that it's tricky to schedule medical appointments outside of school hours, but we ask that you do your best to maximize school breaks or late start/early release schedules to make appointments.  Even excused absences cause students to miss instruction and get behind in assignment completion and submission.  

    Submit excused absences in a timely manner.  Please enter excused absences via Family Acess in Skyward.  This is the quickest way for us to receive attendance information daily and respond to unexcused absences according to Washington State Law.  We ask that you submit excuses within 24 hours of the absence.  We prefer that you provide information in advance of a planned appointment or absence.

    Plan your travel during school breaks.  Please do not schedule family trips or travel during scheduled instructional days.  If you must take your student out of school for two or more days, please request a pre-arranged absence form from the attendance office at least two weeks in advance of the planned absence.  The student will be responsible for all makeup and missed assignments and assessments, and should plan in advance with each individual teacher.

    Stay tuned in.  We need your help in advancing the message that attendance matters.  Check your student's attendance in Family Access, pay attention to the attendance phone calls, and ask your student questions about any noted tardies or absences.  If your student is experiencing physical or mental health concerns that impact school attendance, please contact your assigned counselor and administrator to establish a plan.  We are here to support you and your student in meeting the goal of attending every class, every day.

     

    Need more information?

    Attendance Resources for Families: OSPI

    Attendance and Truancy: Washington State Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds

    BISD Policy 3122

    BISD Procedure 3122

    Washington State RCW