Attendance

Contact the attendance office at nlmsattendance@lkstevens.wednet.edu or call (425) 335-1530.

Attendance Policy

Lake Stevens School District considers regular and punctual attendance to be a necessary part of student learning. It is the District's desire to instill a sense of responsibility in each student that will carry over into the world of work.  Because there is a clear connection between good attendance and success in school, we believe that it is our responsibility to help you develop habits of good attendance.  Students are expected to in class every school day. 

Respect for Learning includes:

• Attending school each day.
• Attending each of your classes every day.
• Not missing more than 10 days of school per semester. When considering tardies, 3 tardies = 1 absence.

Note: Excessive absenteeism, excused and/or unexcused, may be referred to legal authorities. A record of 5 unexcused absences per month or 10 per year is considered to be “excessive.” RCW 28A.225.010

Submitting an Absence

You can view current attendance and enter an absence notification via Family Access.

1. Click on “Attendance” under the General Information Tab on the left side of the screen.
2. Click on “Absence Notifications”
3. Click on “Add Notification” and enter the appropriate information. Be sure to choose a reason for the absence.
4. An email will be sent to you confirming the notification and when the notification has been approved.

Planned Absences
If your child is going to be absent for other than illness, a Prior Approval Request form must be submitted to the main office at least five (5) days prior to the absence for administrative approval. These forms are available in the main office or online (below). 

Prior Approval Absence Request Form (PDF)

After you and your parents have completed and signed the form, you must have all of your teachers sign it before turning it in at the main office.

It is the student's responsibility to gather homework from their teachers for the time they will be gone. Although a teacher may be able to give you a broad outline of the material they expect to cover during your absence, you will need to check with your teacher upon return to find out what specific assignments are needed to make up and when they are due.

Excused Absence
In order to have an absence recorded as excused, it is necessary that your parent call the school or that you give the school a written note from your parent, doctor, dentist, etc. within 48 hours that states the reason(s) and date(s) of the absence.

All attendance notes are to be brought to the main office as soon as you return to school. Once you have returned to school, it is your responsibility to find out what work you missed and to make up all assignments.

Unexcused Absences
If you are absent from school without your parents’ permission, your absence will be recorded as “unexcused.” Your parents will be notified of your truancy and you will be assigned before- or after-school detention to make up the time and work that you missed. Continued truancy from school will result in your being assigned additional consequences.

Truancy from Classes (Skipping)
If you skip a class, your absence will be recorded as “unexcused.” Your parents will be notified of your truancy from class and you will be assigned before- or after-school detention to make up the time and work that you missed. Continued class cutting will result in additional consequences.

Reasonable Time to Make Up Work
If you are absent from school, you are expected to make up all assignments that you missed within a reasonable time. A “reasonable time” means that you have as many days to make up your work as you were absent. For example, if you were absent three days, you have three school days to make up the work you missed unless you make other arrangements with your teacher.

Note: Teachers are not obligated to allow you to make up work that you missed as a result of an unexcused absence.

Early Dismissal
If you need to be dismissed from school before the end of the day for a doctor's appointment or other reason, bring an early dismissal note to the main office before school on the day of the early dismissal.

You will receive a pass from the office stating the time that you are supposed to be excused from school. Before leaving the building, you must sign out in the main office.

Leaving Campus
Once you arrive on school grounds at the beginning of the school day, you may not leave until the end of school at 2:15 p.m. or until you sign out through the main office or health room with your parent's permission.

If you leave school without signing out in the main office, you will be considered to be truant and your administrator will assign you appropriate consequences.

When Arriving to School Late
You will be marked late to school if you arrive after the 8:10 a.m. bell. If you get to school after 8:10 a.m., you must:

• Go to the main office for an admit slip before going to class.
• Bring a note from your caregiver, doctor, or dentist to excuse the student's late arrival. You may also call the North Lake office at:  425-335-1530 or email nlmsattendance@lkstevens.wednet.edu Without notification, the student's absence will remain unexcused. 
• Take your admit slip to your teacher.
• Find out what work you missed and make sure that you make it up.