EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY

Our attendance initiative, "Every Student, Every Day" is intended to emphasize the impact school attendance can have on a student's academic success starting in preK and continuing through high school. Families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

Every Student, Every Day

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But we also know that when a student misses too much school - regardless of the reason - it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your student is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more (18 or more) over the course of an entire 180-day school year. Absences add up quickly! A student is chronically absent if he or she misses just 2 days every month!

Research shows:

  • Students chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

  • By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.

  • By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.

Clearly, going to school MATTERS!

FAMILY TIPS

We don't want your student to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your student attends school every day and arrives on time.

Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

  • Routine: Make sure your student keeps a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.

  • Prepare: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

  • Attend: Ensure your student goes to school every day unless he/she is truly sick.

  • Scheduling: Avoid scheduling vacations or regular doctor or dentist appointments when school is in session.

  • Communicate: Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your student feels anxious about going to school.

  • Transportation: Arrange reliable transportation to and from school. Develop back-up-plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your student to school.