Columbia High School - White Salmon, Washington

The White Salmon School District will comply with the state law that requires all public schools to report the number of excused and unexcused absences each year. The state law also requires school districts to file cases with the Klickitat County Juvenile Department of students who have reached five unexcused absences in a month and/or ten unexcused absences during a school year.

Students are allowed to make up work or tests that take place during excused absences. Students are not allowed to make up work or tests that take place during an unexcused absence. Absences will be considered excused at Columbia High School if they are due to:

1. Participation in school sponsored activity. To be excused a staff member must authorize absence and the affected teacher must be notified prior to the absence unless it is clearly impossible to do so.
2. Absence due to illness, health condition, family emergency or religious purposes. When possible, the parent is expected to notify the school office on the morning of the absence or send a signed note of explanation with the student upon his/her return to school. A parent may request that a student be excused from attending school in observance of a religious holiday. In addition, a student, upon the request of his/her parent, may be excused for a portion of a school day to participate in religious instruction provided such is not conducted on school property. A student shall be allowed one makeup day for each day absent.

3. Absence for parental approved activities. This category of absence shall be counted as excused for purposes agreed upon by the principal and the parent. An absence may not be approved if it causes a serious adverse effect on the student's educational progress. In participation classes the student may not be able to achieve the required objectives of the unit of instruction as a result of absence from class. In such case, a parent-approved absence would have an adverse effect on the student's educational progress, which would ultimately be reflected in the grade for such a course.

4. Absence resulting from disciplinary actions or short term suspension. As required by law, students who are removed from a class or classes as a disciplinary measure or students who have been placed on short term suspension shall have the right to make up assignments or exams missed during the time they were denied entry to the classroom if the effect of the missed assignments shall be a substantial lowering of the course grade.

5. Extended illness or health condition. If a student is confined to home or hospital for an extended period, the school shall arrange for the completion of assignments at the place of confinement whenever practicable. If the student is unable to do his/her schoolwork, or if there are major requirements of a particular course which cannot be accomplished outside of class, the student may be required to take an incomplete or withdrawal from the class without penalty.

6. Excused absence for chronic health condition. Students with a chronic health condition, which interrupts regular attendance, may qualify for placement in a limited attendance and participation program. The student and his/her parent shall apply to the principal or counselor, and a limited program shall be written following the advice and recommendations of the student's medical advisor. The principal shall approve the recommended limited program. Staff shall be informed of the student's needs, though the confidentiality of medical information shall be respected at the parent's request.

Eighteen year old students wishing to write their own notes and sign for field trips, etc. must first secure written verification from their parents approving and acknowledging the students' responsibilities in signing for themselves. Parental acknowledgment and approval to sign notes does not alleviate the student's responsibility to adhere to all of the rules and attendance policies of the school in order to maintain enrollment.

The education and safety of children are our top priorities. We will continue our practice of attempting to contact parents/guardians when a child is absent from school. If you have concerns about your child's attendance, please contact your child's teacher or the school principal. EXCESSIVE ABSENCES, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CREDIT FOR THE CLASS. See classroom procedures for individual teacher's policy.

Student Attendance Policy