Attendance
Attendance at Denny Middle School
Report an Absence
Please contact the attendance office:
Annabelle Sanchez – Attendance Secretary
dennyms.attendance@seattleschools.org
206-252-9004
Attendance Policy
Attending school every day is important for students to be successful!
For questions regarding Denny’s policy, contact a Vice Principal. 206-252-9000.
Attending school every day is important for you to be a successful student. Illnesses and family emergencies are valid excuses for absences. After an absence, you MUST bring a written excuse to the Attendance Office before school, or your parent/guardian MUST call the Attendance Office at 252-9004 the day you are absent. Notes must include the date, reason and signature of your parent or guardian. We believe that being in class and on time is a top priority–you must be in class to succeed academically.
Picking your student up early
If you know you are picking your student up early, please let the main office know as early as possible so that we can have them ready to go.
When returning to school after being absent
If you have a note excusing your absence please see the Attendance Secretary:
dennyms.attendance@seattleschools.org
One unexcused absence within a month:
Parents will be notified by letter and/or phone.
Please send an email or a written note with your student to the Attendance Office.
Medical Absences
The Attendance Office requires a note from your child’s doctor if your child is absent due to illness or injury for 3 or more school days before excusing those absences. If a doctors note is not provided the absences will be unexcused.
Unexcused Absences
- vacations
- late/missed metro bus
- sleeping late
- a car breaking down or traffic
- babysitting
Pre-planned Absences
If you will be gone on a pre-planned event, make sure you fill out a Pre-Planned Absence Form you can pick up in the main office and have teachers sign. Please do this at least three (3) days in advance of the planned event.
Unexcused Absences/Becca Bill
Unexcused absences will result in parent conferences or other consequences determined by Denny International Middle School Staff. In addition, in accordance with the Washington State Becca Bill, the school is required to take the following actions:
Two, Three or Four unexcused absence within a semester:
A conference is required for the purpose of analyzing the causes of the student’s failure to attend school. This may be done, by phone, at school or by home visit.
Five or Six unexcused absences within a semester:
The school district may file a petition with the juvenile court.
Ten or more unexcused absences:
The school district files a petition with the juvenile court.
Tardy Policy
In order to get the most out of your education, it is critical that you are on time to school and on time to class. You are tardy to class if you are not in your seat with your materials out and ready to learn when class begins. Teachers will start class on time, and you will miss important instruction if you are late. For that reason, we have school and classroom tardy policies that will be enforced. Additionally, there are potential safety concerns when you are not where you are supposed to be. All teachers and staff are strict about enforcing the following rules and consequences.
Student arrives late between 1 minute after the start of the period and 10 minutes before the scheduled end of the period. Student will be marked Late.
Tardiness to classes steps:
- More than 5 tardies=no hall pass list.
- Student can earn their way off the list by improving their tardies.
- If they improve their tardies, the next step is 1 pass a day for all of their classes.
- If they use this pass properly, the next step is to be off the list, but they can earn their way back on.
Additionally, the Attendance Secretary will monitor the names and frequency of tardy students and contact families and grade level Administrator.
SPS Attendance Information
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