This year, the Garfield-Palouse School District is working hard to ensure every student can learn and grow by being at school regularly. Being at school is important for learning, building friendships, and participating in the school community. We want to support your student’s success through attendance and engagement in school.

Why Attendance Matters:

·         Missing just 2 days a month (or 10% of school) can impact your student’s chances of reading at grade

level by the third grade (elementary) or graduating on time (middle and high school).

·         School is also essential for students to build friendships and learn how to be in community with their peers and adults.

·         Absences can signal problems like disengagement, academic struggles, or bullying, and therefore is important for us to pay attention to.

What We Need from You:

·         Follow health guidelines so that you know when to keep your child home due to illness and when to send them to school. Whitman County Health Department and the CDC guidelines can be found on our website at https://www.garpal.net/domain/39 .

• ·         If your student will be absent, contact the school before the 9:00 a.m. robo-call.
• ·         Reach out to us if your student is struggling to come to school or if you are having challenges getting your child to school. We are here to help.
• ·         Follow our school policies or expectations. Our school policies and handbooks can be found at www.garpal.net

What You Can Do:

• Set a consistent bedtime and morning routine.
• Prepare for school the night before, ensuring homework is done and your child gets enough rest.
• Talk to your child about the importance of school and attendance.
  •  Keep track of the number of days your child has missed on a calendar in a visible location in the home. Ask your child to assist with tracking the days.

 

•  Schedule appointments before or after school, or at the very beginning or end of the day to minimize the amount of time your student will be out of school.
•  Schedule your vacations during district scheduled holidays.
•  Have backup plans for transportation. Consider using My Family’s Help Bank resource to make a plan.
• Communicate with your child’s teacher, the front office or the school counselor, about any concerns.
• Encourage after school activities.

Our Promise to You:

•          We understand challenges that affect attendance and are here to help.
•          Use our resources, like the nurse or counselor for support. 
•          We will take attendance daily (as required by state law), communicate with you when your student has an unexcused absence, and work with you to help overcome barriers.

What Families Need to Know about Washington State’s Compulsory Attendance Laws

Washington state requires parents and school districts to follow these steps when students are absent:

Parents

·         Parents of children ages 8 – 18 must ensure their children attend full-time public school, private school, or receive home-based instruction (district-approved).

·         If parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend school full-time.

School Districts

·         Notify parents of the attendance rules, as noted in your receipt of our Student Handbook upon enrollment.

·         Notify parents every time a student is absent.

·         Meet with parents and students to find out why students are chronically absent.

·         Try different strategies to improve attendance.

·         Refer a student and/or parent to a Community Engagement Board or to court, if needed.

To review our school attendance procedures and our district’s attendance policies at www.garpal.net under the Gar-Pal School Board, Policies, Policy 3122 for more detailed information. You can also read more about the Washington State Compulsory Attendance Laws here (Chapter 28A.225 RCW).