How to Excuse a Tardy or a Student Absence

There are 3 ways your parents/guardians can excuse a tardy or an absence:

• Email: cbtechattendance@mlsd161.org 
• Call the Attendance Line: (509) 793-7006.
  • This line goes straight to voicemail. Leave a clear, detailed voicemail with the Student's full name, date, allowed excusable reason (why they're absent), and the name of the parent/guardian leaving the message. 
• Parent Note turned into the Office-include the student's full name, the date, the allowed excusable reason, and the parent's signature.

- Turn in the note to the office secretary. 

-Must be legible by office staff. 

Parent/Guardians, if you are contacting your student’s teacher directly, please note that you STILL have to contact the CBTECH Office to excuse your student’s absence. 

ATTENDANCE POLICY 

Students enrolled in the CBTECH Skills Center are expected to attend school regularly in accordance with state law and school board policies. The primary responsibility for school attendance rests with parents and their students. Continual communication between home and school is encouraged to promote good attendance and serve the best interests of our students.

Section I. Student and Parent Responsibility

1. Students are required to be punctual and attend all classes. 
2. Students failing to attend all classes unless excused are in violation of district rules and are subject to disciplinary action, which could result in a suspension from school or removal from the program.
3. If a student is or will be absent, the parent should notify the Attendance Office of the reason for the absence on the morning of the absence. When calling the Attendance Office, please spell the student’s last name. If the parent does not call, the student’s home will be contacted in the evening, with the assistance of a pre-recorded message from ParentSquare. Only acceptable absences will be excused. 
4. If a parent/guardian fails to call the school on the morning of the absence, the parent must send a signed note with his/her student when he/she returns to school. This note must explain the reason(s) for the absence. The student shall turn this note into the attendance secretary upon his/her return. Notes or calls must be received within 48 hours of the student’s return to school, or the absence will be recorded as unexcused. 
5. Students who arrive at school after the school day has begun are to report to the Tardy Kiosk immediately to check into school. Only late arrivals that fall under the Accepted Excused absences will be excused. 
6. It is the student’s responsibility to make up missed school work within a reasonable length of time established by his/her teacher (s). A reasonable length of time shall be 2 days to complete make-up work for each day of an excused absence unless the make–up period is extended by agreement with the teacher(s). Proper credit will be given when work is made up within a reasonable length of time. Make-up work must be completed within a maximum of 10 school days after the students return to school. If more time is needed, arrangements must be made with the teacher (s) before the deadline. 
7. Students who are out ill for several days must have their parents contact the CBTECH Attendance Office to arrange to pick up assignments. Please allow 24 hours for homework to be collected from teachers.
8. If a student anticipates missing a class, he/she has the responsibility to notify his/her classroom teachers at least 1 day in advance. Exception: If the absence is for a school activity, the advisor, teacher, or coach will be responsible for notifying the teachers(s).
9. A student who leaves school for any reason during the school day must check out through the Attendance Office with a note signed by a parent, a call/email, or a parent/guardian in person. Students must sign out before leaving campus. Students failing to sign out will be subject to discipline under the “Failure to comply” section of the discipline code.
10. Parents should review student attendance and progress reports for summary attendance information. If there are discrepancies or questions of interpretation, parents should contact the teacher to verify the absence or tardiness within 48 hours. The teacher will contact the Attendance Office to make a correction if needed. 
11. Extended illness or absence: A student who has been absent without contacting the school is subject to withdrawal for lack of attendance. 
12. A student absent from school on a given day may not be permitted to participate in any extra-curricular activity held that day or evening. This includes social activities sponsored by the school or one of its organizations. Coaches and advisors are obligated to check the attendance rosters on the days of the activities. 
13. If a student becomes ill at school and is too sick to go to class, he/she must check into the office, and a parent/guardian will be notified. If the student is too ill to go to the office, he /she must have someone notify the secretary in the main office immediately so that assistance can be given. A student who fails to do so will be marked as truant from class. 
14. If a student has an off-campus class and misses the bus, he/she must immediately check in with the Attendance Office. 
15. Students must sign out at the Attendance Office before leaving campus. Students must have a note signed by a parent/guardian. A parent/guardian may fax a note to excuse a student from class; however, students must sign out at the Attendance Office regardless of the method the parent/guardian uses to excuse the student. NO NOTE- NO CHECK OUT. If the student leaves campus without a note or signing out, the absence will be marked as unexcused. 

Section II. Absences

Any period a student is not in class shall constitute an absence. School activities, sports, music, etc., should be cleared by a coach or advisor with the Attendance Office.

Pre-Arranged absence: If a student knows in advance that he/she will be absent for defined excused reasons, for 3 or more days, he/she must use the following procedure to arrange for a planned absence.

1. Arrangements for a planned absence should be made with the Attendance Office as many days in advance of the absence as possible, with a minimum of 1 day. 
2. The student will carry the planned absence form to each class for the teacher’s signature and arrange for make-up work.
3. The planned absence form must be turned in to the Attendance Office before the absence and must be signed by his/her teacher(s).
4. The student should obtain assignments from their teacher before leaving and turn their work in upon returning to school.