Seattle Schools' Attendance Policies
I have heard from a few parents who are confused over SPS attendance policies, particularly around excused absences. This has been discussed here before but here's the link to the Truancy Office. It is headed by Ruth McFadden, Program Manager. On excused absences, this is pretty much the bottom line: In general, family vacations of any duration may not be considered excused absences. The school principal has the final say on whether your planned absence, including family vacations or return to visit family in another country, will be excused. It is a very good idea for the PTA and/or parent to make sure they know at the beginning of the school year what your principal's policy is going to be. The principal should put this information out but if not, ASK. And, get it in writing. I still think it a bad idea to give this over to principals because I'm sure the tolerance level may vary from school to school and that's neither consistent nor f...