Attendance Office
Good Afternoon Parents/Guardians,
I am reaching out to share important updates regarding our commitment to attendance and engagement for all students. Beginning on December 2, 2024, we will be updating our attendance and tardy policies. Your involvement is essential in helping your student(s) succeed here at Auburn Mountainview. We encourage you to review your students’ attendance and talk with them about the importance of being present and on time for all classes.
If you or your student have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Dean of Students. You can contact them by phone at 253-804-5197 or by email at krwhite@auburn.wednet.edu. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in helping students succeed!
Please review the following policy updates/reminders:
Research in education clearly indicates that a strong relationship exists between class attendance and high academic achievement. Students with good attendance practices generally leave high school with skills and habits necessary to be successful in life and a valued employee upon entering the working world. The Washington State Commission on Student learning has made good attendance one of its objectives under Goal IV: School to Work transitions. State law also requires daily attendance, and the Becca Bill requires schools to petition the court regarding students with excessive unexcused absences. Hence, Auburn Mountainview High School is committed to encouraging good attendance and monitoring daily student attendance.
The following assumptions are basic to a successful attendance policy at Auburn Mountainview High School:
- Auburn Mountainview High School offers its students excellent educational opportunities.
- Student participation in classroom activities is essential for optimal learning.
- Students are preparing for careers after high school and need to develop appropriate attendance behaviors and habits required in the working world.
- Students are responsible for participating in the school curriculum and maintaining regular attendance. Parents are responsible for their children’s attendance with state law and district policy and, therefore, are responsible notifying the school of an excused absence. Teachers are responsible for accurately monitoring attendance daily and are expected to encourage good attendance through class expectations and participation requirements.
The district is obligated to develop a plan that may require an assessment to determine how to best meet the needs of your student and reduce absenteeism.
Closed Campus:
Auburn Mountainview High School is designated as a "closed campus" by school district policy. Students must remain on campus during passing times and during lunch. Tardiness or absences related to leaving school grounds will be unexcused and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Parking lots, the bus loading zone, athletic fields, and the front entrance area are considered off limits during the school day for safety purposes. There will be no "parking lot passes" unless provided by administration. Violations will result in disciplinary consequences.
Unexcused Absences/Truancy:
Absences will become “unexcused” when a student fails to get parent permission for an absence within 5 school days of the date of the absence from school occurred. After 5 school days, an absence cannot be excused by a parent/guardian. Students may or may not be able to make up missed assignments or assessments if they occur on the day of an unexcused absence. To excuse an absence, you can call the Attendance Office at 253-804-5197, you can send an e-mail to amhsattendance@auburn.wednet.edu, or you can request an absence through Skyward.
Excused Absence Reasons:
- Professional Appointments
- Illness
- Mental Health
- Safety Concerns
- Family Emergencies
- Religious Reasons
- Other absences as deemed appropriate by Administration
Interventions for unexcused absences will follow a progressive model. Truancy will result in an assignment to Lion Academy (Academic and Behavior Support), Parent Meetings, Home Visits, and potentially a state law mandated Truancy Petition.
Tardiness:
Students are required to report to their assigned class before the tardy bell rings. If the student is tardy, they will stand outside the classroom door until the teacher is ready to let them in (up to 2 minutes). The teacher will mark the tardy in the system.
- 5 tardies = Lunch Detention
- 10 tardies = “No Pass List” for the remainder of the semester
- 15 tardies = Lunch Detention
- 20 tardies = 1 Day of Lion Academy, Parent Meeting, and Signed Contract
- 30 tardies = Administration Referral (Discipline for Noncompliance)
- Failure to attend a detention will result in a ½ day of Lion Academy
AMHS Dean of Students