Attendance Matters - Yellow Springs Schools

DID YOU KNOW?

Showing up on time, every day possible, is important to your child’s learning and well-being from preschool forward.

Missing 10% of school (2 days each month) can make it harder to:
- Gain early reading and math skills.
- Build relationships.
- Develop good attendance habits.
Preschool and kindergarten have many benefits!
- The routines your child develops will continue throughout school.
- Regular attendance helps your child gain confidence, delight in learning, and make new friends.

Too many absences in preschool and elementary school can cause children to struggle socially and academically.
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
Missing 10% of school (2 days each month) can make it harder to learn to read and do basic math.

Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged and on track to graduation.
Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, dealing with a bully, or facing some other difficulty.
By 6th grade, chronic absence (missing 10%, or 2 days each month) is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

Work with your child and their teacher to develop your child’s strong attendance.

Talk about it – sing about it – make it an adventure!

Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before. Share ideas with other parents for getting to school on time.

Before the school year starts

Find out what day school starts and begin a countdown!
Make sure your child has the required immunizations.
Attend orientation with your child to meet teachers and classmates and find out about health and safety procedures.

Ready, Set, GO!

If you are concerned your child may have a contagious illness, call your school or health-care provider for advice. Ask for resources to continue learning at home.
Ask family members or neighbors for assistance if you need help.
Try to schedule nonurgent medical appointments and extended trips when school is not in session.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the teacher, program director, your doctor, or other parents for advice. Make sure the program is a good fit for your child.

Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required shots.
Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up.
Monitor your child’s absences.
Try to schedule nonurgent medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.
If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
If you are concerned that your child may have a contagious illness, call your school nurse or health-care provider for advice. Ask the teacher for ideas to support missed learning time.

Make school attendance a priority

Talk about the opportunities available when your teen or preteen shows up to school every day.
Help your middle and high schoolers maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting enough sleep.
Consider limiting use of devices if they interfere with sleep.
Try not to schedule nonurgent medical appointments during the school day.
Help your student to stay healthy.
If your children must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have asked teachers for materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom.

Help your student stay engaged

Find out if your children feel engaged by their classes and whether they feel safe from bullies and other threats.
Make sure your students are not missing class because of challenges with behavioral issues or school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, contact the school and work with them to find a solution.
Monitor your child’s academic progress and seek help from teachers, school counselors or tutors when necessary. Provide teachers with your contact information.
Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
Encourage your child to join meaningful after-school activities, including sports and clubs.
If you notice signs of anxiety, support your middle and high schoolers, and if needed, seek advice from your school or health-care provider.

Communicate with the school

Know the school’s attendance policies both incentives and penalties.
Check on your preteen/teen’s attendance to make sure absences are not adding up.
Seek help from school staff, other parents or community agencies if you need resources and support.