Attendance
Nathan Hale Attendance
Martha Cunningham-Daniels, Attendance Specialist
Phone: 206-252-3684 | Fax: 206-252-3681
Email halehs.attendance@seattleschools.org
Attendance related forms can be found on the Forms Page.
When to contact the Attendance Office
Illness – Call the Attendance office at 206-252-3684 or send a signed note, with your phone number included, within 2 days of the occurrence.
Please keep your student at home when they have a known exposure to someone with COVID or any other contagious symptoms.
Late Arrival – Students under the age of 18* with a valid signed note (including a parent’s phone number) should present them the note to the Attendance Office before heading to class. Valid reasons for being late or absent can be found on the SPS district Attendance website.
Early Dismissal – Students under the age of 18* who are leaving early, should exchange their signed parental note for a Temporary Dismissal pass in the Attendance office as soon as possible. Parents needing to retrieve their student for an appointment should call the Attendance Office at 206-252-3684 or send an email to halehs.attendance@seattleschools.org . The Attendance office secretary is usually away from her desk from 1-2 p.m. Please note: retrieving students during the final half hour of the day is not always successful and can be chaotic. Calling in the morning or as soon as possible yields the best and most accurate service.
Vacation – Fill out a Pre-Planned absence form no later than 3 days before the absence will occur. Teachers need to sign the back of the form to indicate which work is to be completed while on vacation. Once the form is completed, please send it to the Attendance office for processing.
*18 Year old students– Are responsible for their own attendance. They should have a valid reason for being late or absent, in order to have their time excused. They may sign in and out of school by visiting the Attendance office to fill out the early dismissal form.
Attendance Policies
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