Attendance is important!

September 4, 2025

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Welcome to a new school year! We are excited to partner with you to make this a year full of learning, growth, and success for your student(s). One of the most important ways families can support their child’s success is through regular, on-time attendance. Every day counts, whether it’s building strong academic skills, developing friendships, or growing confidence, students benefit from being in school.

The Power of Good Attendance

• Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on track with reading, math, and other essential skills.

• Being on time helps students start the day with confidence and reduces stress.

• Attending every day builds positive habits that carry into college, careers, and life.

• Daily attendance creates opportunities for students to connect with teachers, make friends, and feel part of our school community.

Our Partnership With Families

We know that sometimes challenges—such as illness, transportation, or family needs—can make getting to school difficult. Please know that we are here to help. If your child is absent, call your school right away to let us know. Together, we can problem-solve and ensure your student stays engaged and successful.

We promise to:

• Track attendance daily and notice right away when your student is missing.

• Communicate with you if absences occur, so we can understand the reason and provide support.

• Work with you to remove barriers and connect your student with resources.

Washington State Attendance Law

Washington State’s Becca Bill (RCW 28A.225) requires students ages 8–17 to attend school regularly. If parents choose to enroll a 6- or 7-year-old, that student must also attend full-time.

Key points of the law include:

• Schools must notify families of any unexcused absence.

• After 3 unexcused absences in a month, schools must schedule a family conference.

• After 7 unexcused absences in a month or 15 in a year, schools are required to file a truancy petition, which may involve a Community Truancy Board or Juvenile Court.

• For elementary students, after 5 excused absences in a month or 10 in a year, schools will contact families to schedule a conference to support regular attendance, unless absences are excused with a doctor’s note or pre-arranged in writing.
  

How You Can Help

• Set consistent routines for bedtime and mornings.

• Schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible.

• Encourage your student to stay in school unless they are truly ill.

• Talk to your child about the importance of being present every day.

• Reach out to teachers or staff if your student seems worried about school or if family challenges are affecting attendance.

We are grateful for your partnership in helping your child thrive. Thank you for making attendance a priority; it truly makes a difference.

Sincerely,

Dr. Slade McSheehy
Superintendent
Bremerton School District

District Policy 3122: Attendance
Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook
BPresent (BSD’s attendance resource webpage)