Attendance & Bell Schedule

A phone call or Parent Square Attendance Note from the student's guardian on the day the student is absent is required. If you are reporting by phone, please call our attendance office at 253-884-4901 or email dballou@steilacoom.k12.wa.us and provide your student’s name and the reason for their absence.

A student is absent from in-person instruction when the student is...

1. Not physically present on school grounds; and,
2. Not participating in instruction, or an instruction-related activity at an approved location, or any other school district approved activity (such as participation in district-sponsored sports). 

SHSD Approved Reasons for Excused Absence

1. Illness, health condition, or medical appointment (to include mental health needs); 
2. Family emergency; 
3. Religious or cultural observance; 
4. Court or judicial preceding; 
5. Post-secondary visitation or scholarship interview; 
6. State-recognized search and rescue activities;
7. Absence related to McKinney-Vento status; 
8. Absence related to deployment status of an active-duty guardian;
9. Absence due to suspension, expulsions, or emergency expulsions; 
10. Absence due to safety concerns, including threats, assaults, or bullying;
11. Absence due to a student's migrant status;
12. An approved activity consistent with district policy and mutually agreed upon by the principal or designee and a guardian; 
13. Absence related to illness or appointments due to Covid-19; 
14. Absence related to illness or appointments of a family member due to Covid-19;
15. Absence related to a student's employment obligations made temporarily necessary by Covid-19;  
16. Absence due to the student's guardian's work schedule or other obligations during regular school hours, until other arrangements can be made; 
17. Absence due to the student's lack of necessary instructional tools, including internet access or connectivity; and,
18. Other Covid-19 related circumstances as determined between the school and guardian. 

If an absence is excused, the student will be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher. When reasonable, if a student misses a participation-type class, they can request an alternative assignment that aligns with the learning goals of the activity missed. An excused absence will be verified by the student's guardian. Students thirteen and older have the right to keep information about drug, alcohol, or mental health treatment confidential. For more information about absences in SHSD, please visit this link. 

If your child has an upcoming planned absence, please complete the Planned Absence Form, and return it to the school office.

Questions regarding changing your child's bus route or bus services should be directed Durham Transportation at 253-584-1365 or by email at transportation@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

If your student will be leaving school early, please call 253-884-4901, or email  dballou@steilacoom.k12.wa.us 

If you need to notify your child of a change in transportation, please call the school (253-884-4901) at least 30 minutes before the release of school to be sure your message can be delivered in time.

If your student has any after-school changes, please call 253-884-4901, or email  dballou@steilacoom.k12.wa.us