New Student Letter

  • Dear Olympic View Families, 

    Olympic View Elementary is a very special place, and we are so excited to have you and your child(ren as a part of our Olympic View Elementary School family.

    Over the summer, our incredible staff prepared for the year ahead.  We recognize that you entrust us with your child and that is such an honor.  We look forward to learning about your child and partnering with you to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of your child.  School starts each day at 9:00 and will be released at 3:20 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  We have Early Release on Wednesdays, dismissal time is 2:20 pm.

    Important Dates:

    1st through 4th                                                                                         Kindergarteners

    • September 1 -Treats (Kona Ice) with the Principal-4 PM -                 - August 31 - Treats (Kona Ice) with the Principal-4 PM       
    • September 1 and 2-Student Orientation Conf.                                   - September 1, 2, and 6 - Conf. (30 minutes)
    • September 6 -First Day of School                                                      - September 7 - First Day of School 

    Fresh air and time outside has always been important for kids, and we will continue to enjoy our amazing campus at recess and during the day as much as possible. In order to do so, it is important that your child comes to school prepared for the weather. Please send your child to school in clothing that will help keep them warm and dry, even when it's raining. If you need help getting appropriate clothing, please let us know and we can help. 

    School Supplies:

    • Backpack
    • Headphones-corded

    I believe in the power that a positive school/home connection has on the life of your student. Additionally, I believe that the partnership can extend beyond the classroom-based connection. If you are interested in being a member of the Olympic View Elementary School PTA, please reach out to the PTA at olympicviewelementarypta@gmail.com.

    For returning students and families, I look forward to reconnecting and seeing you all. To our new families, Welcome. I look forward to getting to know your child and your family! Please be watching your email, our school webpage (https://www.ohsd.net/Domain/15), and our school Facebook page (@Olympicviewelementaryschool) for updates on our daily school schedules, arrival, and dismissal procedures.

    Please reach out with questions and concerns.

    Warmest regards,

    Sara Lucero 

    Principal of Olympic View Elementary School

    Importance of Attendance

    This year, Olympic View Elementary School is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly.  Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Your student can start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

    DID YOU KNOW? 

    • Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.
    • Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
    • Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks. 
    • Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.  
    • Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up. 
    • By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.  
    • By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.  
    • Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully, or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
    • By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

    WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
    We miss your student when they are gone and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school.  If your student is going to be absent, please call the Olympic View Elementary Attendance Line at 360.279.5159.

    OUR PROMISE TO YOU
    We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. 

    • Carla Hurst, School Counselor can be reached by phone: 360.279.5193 or email: churst@ohsd.net
    • Robbin White, School Nurse can be reached by email:  rwhite@ohsd.net
     
    We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. 

    SCHOOL POLICIES AND STATE LAWS
    It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Washington State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance, called the Becca Bill, requires children from ages 8 to 17 to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children that are 6 or 7 years old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6 or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements.  

    We, the school, are required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student has an unexcused absence.

    If your student has two unexcused absences in one month, state law (RCW 28A.225.020) requires we schedule a conference with you and your student to identify the barriers and supports available to ensure regular attendance.  The district is obligated to develop a plan that may require an assessment to determine how to best meet the needs of your student and reduce absenteeism.  

    In elementary school after five excused absences in any month, or ten or more excused absences in the school year, the school district is required to contact you to schedule a conference at a mutually agreeable, reasonable time with at least one district employee, to identify the barriers and supports available to you and your student. A conference is not required if your student has provided a doctor’s note, or pre-arranged the absence in writing,  and the parent, student, and school have made plans so your student does not fall behind academically. If your student has an Individualized Education Plan or a 504 Plan the team that created the plan needs to reconvene.

    If your student has seven unexcused absences in any month or ten unexcused absences within the school year, we are required to file a petition with the Juvenile court, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, the mandatory attendance laws. The petition may automatically stay and your student and family may be referred to a Community Truancy Board, or you and your student may need to appear in Juvenile Court. If your student continues to be truant you may need to go to court.

    At Olympic View Elementary School, we have established the following rules on attendance that will help you ensure your student is attending regularly.  Parent-Student Handbook

    WHAT YOU CAN DO

    • Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
    • Prepare for school the night before, finish homework, and get a good night’s sleep.
    • Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required immunizations.
    • Don’t let your student stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
    • Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
    • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent. 
    • Keep track of your student’s attendance.  Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.  
    • Talk to your student about the importance of attendance. 
    • Talk to your student's teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
    • Encourage meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.