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ATTENDANCE

POLICY # 3122 & PROCEDURE #3122

Daily attendance in school is absolutely one of the best ways for students to be successful in their education. Your student can start building this habit in preschool, so they learn right away that going to school on-time, every day is important.

Absences add up! Missing two or more days per month means a student misses more than 10% of the school year. Miss school, miss out.

EXCUSED ABSENCE

Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district. At times, students may be absent from class or not able to participate remotely. School staff will keep a record of absence and tardiness, including a record of excuse statements submitted by a parent / guardian, or in certain cases, students, to document a student’s excused absences. The following are valid excuses for absences: School Board Policy 3122.


School principals (or designee) have the authority to determine if an absence meets these criteria for an excused absence.
 

UNEXCUSED ABSENCE

According to School Board Policy 3122, any absence from school for the majority of hours or periods in an average school day is unexcused unless it meets one of the criteria for an excused absence.


As a means of instilling values of responsibility and personal accountability, a student whose absence is not excused will experience the consequences of their absence. A student's grade may be affected if a graded activity or assignment occurs during the period of time when the student is absent.


The school will notify a student’s parent or guardian in writing or by telephone whenever the student has failed to attend school after one unexcused absence within any month during the current school year. 


Ephrata Schools will follow a specific process to work with parents / guardians and students experiencing unexcused absences.

CLOSURES & DELAYS

When weather conditions or other circumstances make it unsafe to operate schools the superintendent or designee will determine whether schools should be started late or closed for the day. Those decisions will be communicated to families as early as possible and in a variety of ways to help families get information as quickly and accurately as possible. 

HOW TO LEARN IF SCHOOL IS DELAYED OR CLOSED

  • Check www.EphrataSchools.org for a pop-up message 
  • Text Messaging - alerts will be sent to families as soon as a decision to delay or close school is made.
  • Social Media - Facebook @EphrataSchoolDistrict  | Instagram @EphrataSchoolDistrict165
  • Media - Local television and radio stations frequently run delay and closure announcements

IMPORTANT NOTE: To ensure you receive notifications, please verify that your contact information is up-to-date in Family Access and that you have opted in to receive text messages from the district. More information on Skyward Family Access.

ENROLLMENT - CHOICE TRANSFER

Non-Resident Students Policy 3141

Choice Transfer request is made when a student wants to attend a school outside of the school district where the student lives (For example, student lives in Quincy, but would like to attend Ephrata).

The Ephrata School District considers student transfers from outside district boundaries on a case-by-case basis. All transfers are only for the given school year and must be renewed. OSPI Choice Transfer Request

 

ENROLLMENT - TRANSFER

Policy #3131


Each student in the district is required to attend the school designated for the geographic attendance area in which he or she resides. A parent or guardian may request that his or her child be allowed to attend another school in the district. Requests must be submitted, in writing, to the principal of the building at which the student is currently assigned.

EPHRATA SCHOOLS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Ephrata Schools use several social media platforms as a means of celebrating students, staff and school achievements. These accounts are also used to communicate school delays, closures and in the event of an emergency

Facebook: @EphrataSchoolDistrict  | Instagram: @EphrataSchoolDistrict165

All school social media accounts.

EXPECTATIONS

The Ephrata School District holds the following expectations of students, staff and parents / guardians to provide a learning climate that holds the maximum possibility for the student achievement: 

Students:

  • Demonstrate respect for all people in the school community - staff, other students, family members and visitors to the school.  
  • Come to school and class every day, on time, prepared to learn and achieve at the highest levels.  
  • Learn what you are expected to know and do.  
  • Always do your best work and ask for help when you need it.  
  • Read, understand and commit to following the Rights and Responsibilities handbook and your local school rules. 

Staff:

  • Demonstrate respect for all persons in the school community - students, other staff, families and visitors to the school.  
  • Begin school and class on time every day with purposeful activities.  
  • Set clear expectations for student achievement and behavior.  
  • Teach what students are expected to know and do.  
  • Develop a partnership with family members and the student to support the student’s education.  
  • Communicate regularly with each student and parent regarding student progress and achievement.  
  • Read and understand the Rights and Responsibilities handbook and your local school rules and apply the policies and rules. 

Parents / Guardians:  

  • Demonstrate respect for all persons in the school community - students, staff and other parents / guardians.  
  • Send your student to school and class every day on time and prepared to learn.  
  • Oversee your student’s work and always expect their best effort.  
  • Develop a partnership with the teacher to support your student’s education. 
  • Communicate regularly with the teacher regarding your student’s progress and achievement.  
  • Read and understand the Rights and Responsibilities handbook and your local school rules. Require your student to abide by these rules and regulations. 
FAMILY ACCESS

Family Access is a critical communication tool between the district, schools and families. You can view your student’s schedule, attendance and see grades and assignments. Parent / teacher conferences are also scheduled via Family Access.

Families can use built-in or add-on translation features of their preferred browser to translate Family Access into other languages. For more information on these browser features, please refer to the articles below.


More information on Skyward Family Access, including how to update your contact information.
 

FIELD TRIPS / INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES

Field trips, excursions and outdoor education are part of a student’s education. As these events are out of the ordinary, school field trips are an area ripe with possibility for injuries and liability. All school rules and policies will therefore apply and will be enforced while students are participating in any such activity.
 

GENDER INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS

Policy #3211 and Procedure #3211


The Ephrata School District believes in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free from discrimination for all students, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. To that end, the district recognizes the importance of an inclusive approach toward transgender students with regard to official records, confidential health and education information, communication, restroom and locker room accessibility, sports and physical education, dress codes and other school activities, in order to provide these students with an equal opportunity for learning and achievement.
 

GUN / DRUG FREE POLICY

The Ephrata School District prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students on school premises or as a part of school activities. Compliance with this rule is mandatory; students who disregard the prohibition will be long-term suspended or expelled. The use of illegal drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful to health and education. The district offers, or can assist in arranging access to, drug and alcohol counseling, rehabilitation and re-entry programs; for further information contact your school principal or counselor.

Firearms/weapons are not allowed in school, at school sponsored activities, on school grounds, facilities or school provided transportation. If a student brings a firearm to school, it will result in an immediate expulsion for no less than one calendar year, including notification of parents and law enforcement. The expulsion may be modified by the school district on a case by case basis.

MCKINNEY-VENTO - HOMELESS STUDENTS ENROLLMENT RIGHTS

Policy #3115 and Procedure #3115

Any child or youth, including migrant and unaccompanied youth, who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate  nighttime residence is considered homeless and McKinney-Vento eligible for assistance and services. This  includes children and youth who are not currently residing with a legal guardian, are temporarily sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, those living in hotels, camping grounds, emergency shelters or cars.  

For more information, contact Frank Cardwell, McKinney-Vento Liaison at (509) 754-2474 | fcardwell@ephrataschools.org or visit the homeless / unaccompanied youth section of our website.

EMANCIPATED STUDENTS

Students 17 and younger that have petitioned the courts and been awarded a Decree of Emancipation will be responsible for their own education. Once a student has been emancipated, and appropriate paperwork has been filed with the school, no parent / guardian contact will be required.

PESTICIDE NOTIFICATION

Policy #6895 and Procedure #6895

Upon request, the district will provide notification to staff and families of the district’s pest control policies, methods and its posting and notification requirements. In addition, at least 48 hours before the application of pesticide to school facilities or school grounds, the district will notify parents and staff of the planned application in writing, including the heading, “Notice: Pesticide Application.” This notice will be posted in a prominent place at the main entrance of the school. This pre-notification is not required if the school grounds or facilities will not be occupied by students for two days following the application of the pesticide. If the application is not made within 48 hours of the notification, another notification will be made prior to the application. This pre-notification is not required in the case of any emergency application of pesticides to a school facility, such as an application to control stinging pests, but full notification will be made as soon as possible after the application.
 

REMIND

Remind is a classroom communication tool that makes it easy to stay involved with your child’s learning. Our school district also uses this tool to communicate weather delays, closures and any emergencies, should they occur. Ephrata School District Families are automatically registered to receive messages from your child’s school. More information on Remind.

SAFETY AND SECURITY PROGRAMS

Safety is a top priority at Ephrata Schools. Our goal is to provide students and staff with a healthy learning environment both during school hours and at after school activities.

  • Campus Security: Visual and physical methods are in place to provide protection for all people on school campuses. The Ephrata School District has a security staff. Their presence allows them to understand the rhythms of the building while developing strong relationships with students. In addition, video cameras capture and record operations at each of our schools.
  • Emergency Management Partnership: Our strong partnership with community emergency responders assures that we are constantly assessing our ability to respond to any form of disaster. We also regularly review our school emergency procedures with our staff and the area first responders as legally required.
     
  • School Safety Plans, Procedures and Emergency Drills: Ephrata Schools building safety teams post, review and practice these plans, procedures and drills regularly. 
     
  • Threat Assessment: Each building has a threat assessment team that will respond to incidents as needed. 
     
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING - TIP LINE

The Ephrata School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/guardians, volunteers and community members, free from all harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying. If you see something, hear something  or observe something that feels wrong, we want to know. Learn how to submit an anonymous tip.

STUDENT SAFETY

The safety of students and staff relies on building trusted partnerships with students, families and school communities across the district. Our teachers, administrators and staff work to create a caring school community that values respect and trust between students and adults. We work hard to make all students feel connected, understand what’s expected of them and provide access and information for the behavioral and mental health support they need.
 

TITLE I NOTIFICATIONS

Policy #4130 - Title I Parental Guardian Involvement

Originally enacted as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, Title I, Part A provides funding to schools to meet the educational needs of students. This learning support helps students meet challenging state academic standards and works to close the educational opportunity gap.

Four schools in the Ephrata School District are Title I Schools:

  • Columbia Ridge Elementary
  • Grant Elementary
  • Parkway Intermediate School
  • Ephrata Middle School
WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF EDUCATION OMBUDS

The Washington State Office of Education Ombuds (OEO) listens, shares information and referrals and works with families, communities and schools to address concerns so that every student can fully participate and thrive in our state's public schools. OEO provides support in multiple languages and has telephone interpretation available. To get help or learn more about what OEO does, please visit its website.

The Washington State Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds is an independent state agency that help to reduce educational opportunity gaps by supporting families, students, educators and other stakeholders in communities across WA in understanding the K-12 school system and resolving concerns collaboratively. OEO services are free and confidential. Anyone can contact OEO with a question or concern about K-12 public schools.

OEO also has 1-page flyers translated into the following languages, which can be downloaded and printed or copies and pasted into school newsletters or other school publications.

OEO Awareness SB 5376 Flyer

CONTACT

Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov
Phone: (866) 297-2597 (interpretation available)