Attendance Tips

Description

Help your child practice good daily habits like:

• • Finishing homework and placing it in his/her backpack

  • Laying out clothes and the backpack in the evening

  • Having a regular bedtime for a good night's sleep

  • Leaving early enough in the morning to get to school on time.

  • Turn off electronic devices one hour before bedtime. 

  • Help your child build responsibility skills by reminding them to make up any missed school work after an absence.

• SICK: Only let your child stay home if he/she is truly sick. Sometimes complaints of a headache or stomach ache might be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.  Contact the teacher or school counselor for support if you think this might be happening.

• Tips to keep your teen engaged in school:

• Talk with your teen about classes 

• Ask about his/her school day.

• Learn which classes are engaging your teen's interests.

• Discuss ways to increase interest in classes your teen does not find engaging.

• Stay on top of your teen's academic progress and attendance

Safety

• Ask your teen if he/she feels safe from bullies and other threats.

• Stay on top of your teen's social contacts.

• Discuss peer pressure and social isolation.

• Feeling pressure from other teens or feeling lonely at school can lead to skipping or missing school.

• Encourage meaningful after school activities, including sports and clubs.

• If your teen is feeling unsafe, losing interest and/or missing school, get help from school staff (Teacher, Counselor, Nurse, etc.).

Heading toward graduation

• Talk about why a high school diploma is important to your teen's future.

• Make it clear that missing school is unacceptable.

• Contact the school counselors and teachers if you think your teen may be falling behind academically, missing school more than 2 days per month, or seems to be losing interest in school to help your teen stay on track for graduation.