Attendance

When attendance is good, students tend to perform well in school. Regular attendance ensures that:

• Preschoolers build skills and develop good habits for showing up on time
• Elementary students read well by the end of 3rd grade
• Middle & high schoolers stay on track for graduation

When do absences become a problem?

• Satisfactory: 9 or fewer absences means your student can keep up and keep learning!
• Warning Signs: 10 to 17 absences in a school year mean your student will miss a lot and struggle to keep up!
• Chronic Absence: 18 or more days in a year (2 days a month) is enough to warrant meeting with the student and your family to discuss any challenges that we may help overcome.

As winter weather and seasonal illnesses arrive, getting students to school can sometimes feel more challenging. Regular attendance is important for students to continue learning and to feel connected to their school community. We have tips to help plan ahead for weather, keep students healthy, and stay engaged in learning when in-person attendance isn’t possible.

What can parents and caregivers do?

• Develop backup plans for getting your student to school in bad weather. If transportation challenges are too much, reach out to your school leadership for assistance.
• If your student walks, talk to other families in your neighborhood about organizing a “walking school bus” to help students get to school safely together.
• Keep your children healthy by ensuring they get plenty of rest, eat a nutritious diet, and wash their hands.

What if my child is sick?

• Ask your children's teachers or the school office for resources you can use at home to support your child's learning.
• Encourage your children to contact classmates or the teacher to learn what they missed.

Too many absences—excused or unexcused—can keep students from succeeding in school and in life. Students who miss more than 1 school day a month become at risk for longer-term challenges.  For example:

• Half of the students, who miss 2 to 4 days in September, go on to miss nearly one month of school;
• Chronically absent (2 days a month) students are more likely to drop out of high school;
• Chronically absent kindergartners score 20 percent lower in reading and math in later grades;
• Student absences in 8th grade are 8 times more predictive of 9th-grade course failure than test scores.
• Chronic absenteeism is the strongest predictor of not graduating from high school in 6th grade.

That’s why if your student has three unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires schools to schedule a family conference with the student to identify barriers and available supports to ensure regular attendance.

We know that getting to school on time can sometimes be challenging, and families may face a variety of barriers along the way. At NTPS, we are committed to partnering with families by monitoring attendance daily, noticing when students are absent or missing class, and reaching out with care and support. Our goal is to work together to address challenges that may arise, including health issues, transportation challenges, or other circumstances that may impact attendance.

• Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines to help your child arrive ready to learn.
• Prepare for the school day the night before by organizing materials, devices, activities, or clothing as needed.
• Support healthy habits, including rest, nutrition, and routine medical care.
• Create backup transportation or communication plans in case of unexpected situations.
• Stay informed about your child’s attendance and communicate with the school when concerns come up.
• Whenever possible, schedule vacations, appointments, and non-urgent activities outside of school hours or school breaks.
• If your child feels worried or anxious about school, connect with teachers, counselors, or trusted school staff for support and strategies.
• If your child is ill or experiencing health concerns, contact your school nurse or healthcare provider for guidance and work with the school to support missed learning opportunities

• Read the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook
• See what the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has to say
• A national organization called Attendance Works
• Chapter 28A.225 RCW — COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND ADMISSION
• RCW 28A.225.020
• RCW 28A.225.010