Tardy Workshop Communication

Dear Bellevue High School students, parents, and guardians –

I am writing to share a few important announcements regarding attendance processes here at BHS:

I.                    Excusing Absences

To excuse an absence, please reach out to our Attendance Specialist, Cassie Taylor, within two days of the absence via email at bhsattendance@bsd405.org or by phone at (425) 456-7006.

II.                  Pre-Arranged Absences

The process for excusing absences is guided by Board Policy and Procedure 3122. Please refer to the linked document for detailed information on which absences qualify as excused.

Pre-Arranged Absences, also called Parental Approved Activities, are absences that can be excused based on an agreement between the parent/guardian and the principal BEFORE the absence happens. Students can have up to five days per year of pre-arranged absences. Failure to pre-arrange the absence may result in the absence being classified as unexcused.

The required pre-arranged absence form is attached for your reference. Additionally, you or your student can also get a copy from our attendance office.

For further inquiries or to reach our Attendance Specialist, Cassie Taylor, via email at bhsattendance@bsd405.org by phone at (425) 456-7006.

III.                Attendance Workshop/Detention  

For the 2024/25 school year, we will continue our process of using Attendance Workshop Detentions to support and encourage on-time class attendance.

Students will be required to attend an Attendance Workshop if, within a week, they:

·         Are tardy twice in the same class, or

·         Are tardy seven or more times across all classes

Attendance data leading to detention(s) will begin the third week of September (9/16), with the first detention taking place the following week.

Families will receive email notifications on Friday if their student is required to attend the workshop the following Wednesday. The Attendance Workshop will be facilitated by admin and teachers. During the workshop, students will have the opportunity to reflect on the factors affecting their punctuality and create a plan for improving their on-time arrival to class. We are optimistic that by attending this workshop, working with BHS staff, and digging deeper into the obstacles preventing some students from arriving on time, students will be able to create a plan to rectify this issue and reduce the number of times they are late to class.

If students do not attend a required attendance workshop without receiving an approved excuse in advance or pre-arranged alternative intervention, they will be assigned “Saturday School” with administration. Failure to attend a Saturday School will result in a Notice of Disciplinary Action and in-school suspension.

Excused Tardies:

If your student is late for an excused reason (as listed in Board Policy and Procedure 3122P) please contact Cassie Taylor, via email at bhsattendance@bsd405.org by phone at (425) 456-7006.

With thanks, 

--Bellevue High School Administration