School attendance is recognized as a right and responsibility of all students, and parents/guardians, in the Mukilteo School District. Daily attendance is required in accordance with State law and School Board policy. Per new district policy, letters will be sent home to alert parent/guardians when students have multiple absences from school and to encourage families to meet with teachers and staff to communicate about student progress.

Excused Absences

Students will be officially excused from a school day for the following reasons (authorized absences):

1. Illness
2. Family Emergency
3. Doctor or Dentist Appointment
4. Religious Observances
5. Classroom or School Activities
6. Up to five absences pre-arranged to be excused upon the request of a parent/guardian and agreed upon with the Principal provided that such excused absences shall not be permitted if deemed to cause a serious adverse effect upon the student's educational progress.

In order to excuse absences, parents/guardians are required to contact the school using the attendance hotline at 425-366-3405 by 10:25 a.m. the morning of the absence.  Your message should include the child’s name, teacher’s name, date(s) of absence, reason for the absence, and parent’s name.  If you do not have access to a telephone, please send a written note within two days of the student’s return to school or the absence will be recorded unexcused. Please provide a note from a doctor if a medical recommendation was made to keep your child home. 

Unexcused Absences

State law requires that schools take steps to insure students are in school.  If students are unexcused or truant from school, the school must take action in accordance with Washington State Law.

We ask that parents stress the importance of school attendance and make every effort to avoid scheduling appointments or other activities that conflict with school hours.  Family vacations should be scheduled to align with the district’s vacation schedule.  The Mukilteo School District does not consider vacations as an excused absence.  

To report absences, please email or leave a message for our office assistant:

Mr. Yul Coronado

Coronadoye@mukilteo.wednet.edu

425-366-3405
*This line is available 24 hours a day.

WHAT CAN A PARENT DO TO IMPROVE ATTENDANCE?

Here are a few things that parents can do to help assure that their child attends school regularly:

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.
• Prepare for school the night before by having homework finished.
• Don’t let your child stay home from school unless he or she is truly sick. Keep in mind that complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety, but not a reason to stay home.
• Avoid appointments and extended trips while school is in session.
• Develop a back-up plan for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
• Keep track of your child’s attendance. Missing too many days can put your child at risk of falling behind.
• Talk to your child about the importance of attending school.
• Talk to your child’s teacher if you notice a sudden change in behavior. The issue could be tied to something else that is going on at school.
• Encourage your child to be active in meaningful, after-school activities such as sports or clubs.