Absence Reporting

An absence may be excused for:

• Illness, health needs, or medical appointments — including medical, dental, counseling, mental health, or behavioral health care.
• Family emergencies — including a death or illness in the family.
• Religious or cultural reasons — including holidays, observances, or instruction.
• Court or legal obligations.
• College or career activities — including college, technical school, or apprenticeship visits and scholarship interviews.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMITTING ALL ASSIGNMENTS - An excused absence provides them the opportunity to complete work without a penalty,  it DOES NOT excuse them from assignments. 

Additional, but much less common, excused absence reasons include:

• Search and rescue activities
• Circumstances related to families in transition, foster care, or migrant status
• Activities related to a parent/guardian’s military deployment
• Suspension or expulsion, when applicable
• Student safety concerns, including threats, assault, or bullying
• Other activities approved by the principal or designee

Families have 72 hours to excuse absences, after which point they will be considered unexcused absences and subject to BECCA and truancy procedures.

For planned appointments or early dismissals, please notify the school via the attendance phone line at 509-525-8785 in writing via ParentSquare or email to wahiattendance@wwps.org at least one school day in advance. Please include:

• Student's full name
• Reason for the absence or early dismissal
• Date and time the student needs to leave
• Whether the student will be picked up by a parent/guardian or has parent/guardian permission to leave campus on their own (drive, bike, bus, or walk)

Students arriving LATE to school should report directly to class. Students will complete a late log in the classroom which front office staff will use to update attendance.  Students DO NOT need to check in at the main office anymore.  To excuse a late arrival for a student, please provide an acceptable reason via email to wahiattendance@wwps.org and allow 24 hours for the office to update attendance.

A parent/guardian may request a planned family activity by emailing the attendance office AND submitting a Pre-Arranged Absence Form at least 5 school days prior to the planned absence.  The attendance office will submit the pre-trip form to the students grade level administrator for final approval. 

If approved, the planned family activity shall be considered an excused absence.

Approval is at the discretion of the administrator. Approval or denial is on a student-by-student basis, and shall include a fair consideration of the impact of the planned absence on the student's academic progress.

If a student is absent more than three (3) school days due to illness or other health-related issue, a doctor’s note will be required along with the parent/guardian notification.

Throughout the absence, it is helpful to remain in contact with our Attendance Office.

For any school absence, please email teachers directly and/or check the classroom websites for missed work.

State law and district policies and regulations require daily and punctual attendance of all students unless officially excused. Parents and students are both responsible for assuring attendance.

Students who have a pattern/history of absences or tardies for personal illness may be required to have a note from a healthcare professional to excuse further absences or tardies due to personal illness.

If you or your student are struggling with attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your grade level administrator or WaHi Attendance.  We have resources and support programs available to students, and would prefer to work with students before reaching BECCA thresholds and court petition status for truancy and non attendance. 

We understand and recognize that at times, mistakes happen and errors can occur.  If you believe there is an error in your student's attendance, please send a ParentSquare message to the teacher and attendance. Students are also encouraged to advocate for themselves and speak with their teacher, who can contact the attendance office directly.  All corrections to daily attendance must be confirmed by classroom teachers before the attendance office can correct attendance.