Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
All families have hopes and dreams for their children. Being in school every day will enable children to do well in school, and graduate from high school ready for work or college.
Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
Attending school has a huge impact on student success. This year we want to make sure every student misses no more than 9 days of school, or 1 day a month. We need your help.
Some Attendance Tips to Promote Student Learning:
Make sure your students keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine so they are rested and alert when they get to school.
Turn off all electronics including TVs, phones and tablets at bedtime.
Make sure clothes and packed backpacks are ready the night before.
Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your student feels anxious about going to 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.
Join the Infinite Campus Parent Portal so you can see and track your student's attendance and grades. Instructions for joining the Parent Portal are here.
Please let me know how I can best support you and your student so that they can show up for school on time every day.
For more helpful tips and information about the importance of students showing up every day and on time for school, please check out the resources on www.attendanceworks.org
For more information about the Richmond County School System's Attendance policies and protocol, please click here to visit the Richmond County Schools website.