Handbook

Please call our office each time your child is absent or going to be tardy. The main office number is 253-571-5488. Please call before 8:45 A.M. the day of the absence.

Sherman Elementary Attendance Goals

• Less than 5 Tardies/Less than 5 Absences in a school year.
• Arrive to school on time, don’t leave early. First bell rings at 9:00 a.m., tardy bell rings at 9:05 a.m. Dismissal bell rings at 3:30 p.m.

According to Washington State Law (Chapter 28A.2725 RCW) all school- age children are required to be enrolled and attend public school unless the superintendent approves permissible exceptions. State law requires that parents/guardians be informed annually of the school districts responsibility to enforce this compulsory attendance requirement.

When a child has 7 unexcused absences in a month, or 10 unexcused absences in year, the school district is obligated to file a truancy petition with the Pierce County Juvenile Court alleging that the child has failed to attend school, and/or that the parent has failed to cause his/her child to attend school. View the compulsory attendance laws on the Washington State Legislature website.

Students are to arrive at school between 8:45 -9:00a.m. Exceptions must be prearranged with the office. School is dismissed at 3:30 p.m. Parents are asked to wait near the covered play area for their children at the end of the day. Parents are asked not to enter the building, as this causes a distraction and congestion at dismissal time.

Please schedule family vacations around our school breaks when possible. Active attendance is critical to student success. If they miss a large amount of school time, they will miss critical discussions which cannot be recovered. Your understanding and support in scheduling your vacation time is appreciated. The district allows 5 days of excused family vacation time per year. If your child has a planned absence of more than one day, you need to fill out the Planned Absence Form found on our school website at www.shermantigers.com or you may request one from the office.

Tardiness may result in loss of valuable learning time and is a disturbance to the class. Students whose bus arrives late need to check in at the office, they will not be considered tardy. If students are tardy, a parent needs to accompany them into the school and sign them in at the office.

Students who enter their classroom after the 9:05 A.M. bell will be considered tardy and will be sent to the office for a tardy slip. Excused tardies could include medical/dental appointments, significant illness, and/or counseling sessions. Students will be allowed three (3) unexcused tardies per trimester. A warning notice will be sent home after the 3rd tardy.

Each teacher develops and maintains a discipline plan for their classroom that is sent home with children at the beginning of the school year. It is the teacher’s responsibility to manage discipline concerns within the classroom. If a student creates a serious problem, the teacher may consult with the principal, counselor, parent, or other school staff. Student behavior and expectations are clearly 6 defined. Students are taught acceptable conduct standards and are assisted toward self-discipline.