Attendance

Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read at grade level by third grade.  Students who are not at reading grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.

Studies have found that a single year of chronic absenteeism at the secondary level, showed an increased likelihood of dropping out by seven-fold.

By 6^th grade chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

Chronic absenteeism impacts social-emotional growth and outcomes. 

Chronic absenteeism is linked to lower academic performance.  

Dropping out of high school been linked to lack of future job prospects, diminished health and an increased likelihood of involvement in the criminal justice system. 

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, whether the absences are excused or unexcused.  Many factors can play a role in students missing school:

• Mental health
  Students with mental health issues may miss school due to feelings of anxiety, fear, hopelessness, or other symptoms.
• Academic difficulties
  Students with learning differences may struggle with absenteeism due to academic struggles that can lead to disengagement.
• Family circumstances
  High levels of family conflict, unsupervised time, or family errands can contribute to truancy. Transportation problems and work-related tasks can also increase the chances of a child missing school. Expectation that students work to help families financially.
• Bullying
  Research has shown that exposure to bullying or punitive disciplinary action is associated with lower attendance and higher dropout rates.
• Financial issues
  Lack of stable housing, food insecurity, feeling the need or having the expectation to work to help the family financially.
• Lack of interest
  Parents' reluctance or lack of support towards a child's education can be an important factor in infrequent attendance.

• Washington State Law requires, with some exceptions, all children between the ages of 8 and 18 years old to attend school every day when it is in session (RCW 28A.225.010).
• Six- and seven-year-olds enrolled in school are required to attend every day (RCW 28A.225.015).
• If a child who is required to attend is absent from school and the absence is not verified by a parent or guardian and/or the reason for the absence does not meet the definition under Washington State Law (Chapter 392-401 WAC) or school district policy/procedure) Bellevue School District Policy 3122  Bellevue School District Procedure 3122P , that absences is considered “unexcused ”
• Schools must inform the parent/guardian after the 1^st unexcused absences in a month in writing or by phone call. RCW 28A.225.020
• Students who accumulate 3 unexcused absences in a month a conference will be held with the parent and child to analyze the cause of the absences.
• Between the 2^nd and 7^th unexcused absence conduct an assessment to assess the reasons for the student’s absences.
• School districts are required take steps to eliminate or reduce unexcused absences from school, and file truancy petitions with the Juvenile Court when students have accumulated seven unexcused absences in one month or not later than 15 unexcused absences in an academic year.

Ardmore Elementary 
Chigusa Shimizu 
(425) 456-4711 – ardmoreattendance@bsd405.org 

Bennett Elementary 
Shireen Wee 
(425) 456-4801 – bennettattendance@bsd405.org 

Cherry Crest Elementary 
Kathy Bessler 
(425) 456-4902 – cherrycrestattendance@bsd405.org 

Clyde Hill Elementary 
Stephanie Dash 
(425) 456-5002 – clydehillattendance@bsd405.org 

Enatai Elementary 
Mina Zabihian
(425) 456-5209 – enataiattendance@bsd405.org 

Jing Mei Elementary 
Vera (Qiongyu) Pan 
(425) 456-6900 – jingmeiattendance@bsd405.org 

Lake Hills Elementary 
Silvana Gergic 
(425) 456-5301 – lakehillsattendance@bsd405.org 

Medina Elementary 
Marryam Jaffery 
(425) 456-5401 – medinaattendance@bsd405.org 

Newport Heights Elementary 
Melodie Farrell 
(425) 456-5503 – newportheightsattendance@bsd405.org 

Phantom Lake 
Shawna Rooney 
(425) 456-5609 – phantomattendance@bsd405.org 

Puesta Del Sol Elementary 
Liz (Elizabeth) Naranjo-King 
(425) 456-6152 – puestaattendance@bsd405.org 

Sherwood Forest Elementary 
Bonnie Ryu 
(425) 456-5701 – sherwoodattendance@bsd405.org 

Somerset Elementary 
Tamrah Mitchell 
(425) 456-5807 – somersetattendance@bsd405.org 

Spiritridge
Nancy Kennedy 
(425) 456-5901 – spiritridgeattendance@bsd405.org 

Stevenson Elementary 
Eric Gonzalez 
(425) 456-6002 – stevensonattendance@bsd405.org 

Woodridge Elementary 
Chiwa Matsumura 
(425) 456-6205 – woodridgeattendance@bsd405.org 

Chinook Middle School
Kimberly Smith
(425) 456-6317 – chinookattendance@bsd405.org

Highland Middle School
Emma Ziari
(425) 456-6401 – highlandattendance@bsd405.org

Odle Middle School
Misa Dodobara
(425) 456-6611 – odleattendance@bsd405.org

Tillicum Middle School
Molly (Mary) Schladetzky
(425) 456-6708 – tillicumattendance@bsd405.org

Tyee Middle School
Babitha Madhan
(425) 456-6809 – tyeeattendance@bsd405.org

Bellevue High School 
Daniel Kerr
(425) 456-7006 – bhsattendance@bsd405.org 

Interlake High School 
Diana Woo 
(425) 456-7206 – ihsattendance@bsd405.org 

Newport High School 
Loretta Sassaman
(425) 456-7406 – nhsattendance@bsd405.org 

Sammamish High School 
Karen Spencer Chubb 
(425) 456-7606 – shsattendance@bsd405.org 

Bellevue Big Picture School
Kelley (Tuyet) Hoang
(425) 456-7808 – bpattendance@bsd405.org

International School
Merin Julien
(425) 456-6545 – isattendance@bsd405.org

Bellevue Digital Discovery Elementary
Laura Juliea Romea
(425) 456-4045 – digitaldiscoveryattendance@bsd405.org

Bellevue Digital Discovery Secondary
Laura Juliea Romea
(425) 456-4045 – digitaldiscoveryattendance@bsd405.org