Being at school is important for learning, building friendships, and participating in the school community. Children experience their best chance of success at school when they attend on time every school day.
First Presbyterian Christian School requires that all kindergarten and elementary students attend punctually on all school days, as specified by the annual school calendar. This policy reflects the integrity demonstrated by the State of Washington’s minimum compulsory attendance laws. Parents and guardians are accountable for their student(s) meeting the attendance requirement.
Daily Attendance
Classroom teachers take attendance once they have led their students into the classroom from the Quad at 9:00 a.m. When a student is marked absent, MySchoolWorx will send an automatic notification to parents or guardians to indicate this. If a student has still not arrived tardy by 9:30 a.m., someone in the school office will call parents or guardians to verify the student’s absence.
Late Arrival
The kindergarten and elementary school day begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. Once teachers have taken attendance at 9:15 a.m., the school day is underway and may not allow the teachers to update attendance records for tardy students. To ensure that no student receives an absent mark on a late arrival day, every kindergarten and elementary student who arrives later than 9:15 a.m. must be signed in at the school office by a parent or guardian. The student will then receive a tardy slip to take to their teacher to verify that they were checked in before proceeding to class. It is the school office’s responsibility to update attendance after 9:15 a.m.
Leaving Early
Picking up students before the end of the school day is discouraged, as they may miss critical instruction time in the classroom. However, if it is necessary, parents or guardians must sign the student out in the school office before the student will be released from their classroom. Parents or guardians should not proceed directly to their student’s classroom without the permission of the school office.
Excessive Tardies
Missed class time adds up quickly. Even a few missed minutes of a lesson or activity can impact a student’s learning, particularly if a student repeatedly misses portions of the same subject matter. Parents and guardians must make every effort to get their student to school on time, which is to be considered no later than 9:00 a.m. Chronic or excessive tardiness will lead to a parent-teacher-principal conference to find a solution to the problem. If the issue is not resolved, further consequences are likely.
Excessive Unexcused Absences
Excessive unexcused absences negatively impact a student’s ability to meet grade level standards and continue thriving at school. Every time a student has an unexcused absence, their parent or guardian will be informed by MySchoolWorx and over the telephone. Three unexcused absences in a single month or seven unexcused absences in a semester will lead to a parent-teacher-principal conference to establish school attendance requirements, as well as create a plan to address attendance issues. Seven unexcused absences in a single month or fifteen unexcused absences in a school year will result in the school filing a truancy petition with Juvenile Court, under subsection (1) of RCW 28A.225.030.
Excused Absences
Absences are only excused in the following cases: student illness, medical/dental services, death of a close family member, or student-specific academic purposes (such as placement testing). Excuses should be submitted in writing no later than 48 hours after the absence by the parent, guardian, or relevant medical professional. This email or note should include the date and reason for the absence.
Students who have missed five or more days in a month due to illness must submit a note from their doctor attesting that they have been cleared to return to their classroom.
Sick Days/Illness
Sometimes children become sick at school. If this happens, parents or guardians will be notified in the order specified on the Pick-Up Authorization Form so that the student can go home to recover fully. Sick students should remain at home until:
Their body temperature is below the threshold of 100.3F for at least 24 hours without the assistance of fever-reducing medication.
They have gone without vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
Their symptoms have sufficiently improved without medication such that they can participate and learn throughout the school day.
Absence & Tardy Notifications
If you know in advance that your student will be absent or arrive late to school, please send a message to fpcsoffice@spokanefpc.org or call 509-747-9192 by 9:00 a.m.
Family Leave
Families are encouraged not to take vacations or plan optional activities that cause their student(s) to miss school days. However, a maximum of five school days can be taken for family leave each school year. These absences will be excused only if the request is made in writing at least one week in advance of the planned absence. Parents must also make advanced arrangements with their student’s teacher to complete any work they will miss. Missed work during this planned absence must be completed and turned in on the day the student returns.