Dear Families and Caregivers,

This year, Fife Elementary School 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. 

So far this September, 95% of Fife Falcons have been on time and ready to learn. WOW!!!!!

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 it is important for us to pay attention to them. 

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. District Health Info

• If your student will be absent, email [email protected] or contact the office at 253-517-1400, option 1.

• 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 by viewing our Districts Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

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. Visible Home Attendance Calendar 

• Ask your child to assist with tracking the days. 

• Days can add up quickly. Aim to keep absences to 9 days or less in a year. 

• 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. District Student Calendar

• 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.

• Please be aware that staff/parents are unable to excuse absences in our system after 5 school days without the principal’s permission or a doctor’s note.

• 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. Fife Elementary Student Handbook

• We will take attendance daily (as required by state law), communicate when your student has an unexcused absence, and help overcome barriers.

• Communicate with you efficiently using resources such as ParentSquare, which allows you to communicate with the school on the go. ParentSquare

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 and get a signature to show they received the notice.

•  Notify parents every time a student is absent without notification.

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

•  Try different strategies to improve attendance, and in some cases

• Refer a student and/or parent to a Community Engagement Board or to court.

Please review our school attendance procedures here Fife Elementary Student Handbook and our district’s attendance policies here Districts Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for more detailed information. You can also read more about the Washington State Compulsory Attendance Laws here (Chapter 28A.225 RCW). 

Sincerely,

Amy Mittelstaedt

Fife Elementary School: 

Principal

[email protected]