Attendance

Did you Know?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10% (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.

• 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.

Many of our youngest students miss 10% of the school year-about 18 days a year just 2 days a month. Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten and even preK, can predict lower test scores, poor attendance and retention in later grades, especially if the problem persist for more than a year.

What you can do...

• Create an attendance success plan

• Set a regular bed time and morning routine.

• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.

• Introduce your child to her teachers before school starts to help with her transition.

• Don't let your child stay home unless she is 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.

• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excite about learning.

• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

• Identify people who can help you.