Every Day Counts
Every Day Counts
Embedded Files
Amazing things happen at Harris Creek every day as students and teachers work hard to build the knowledge and skills that help our students grow and develop.
Your child is an integral part of the classroom and not only do they miss out when absent, but we also miss their important contributions to our school community!
Children who don't show up for school regularly miss out on fundamental reading and math skills and the chance to build a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers.
Children who don't show up for school regularly miss out on fundamental reading and math skills and the chance to build a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers.
How many is too many?
How many is too many?
We consider satisfactory attendance to be 9 or fewer days missed in a school year.
A simple way to think of this is to try not to miss school more than once per month. Your Harris Creek family wants to do all we can to support regular school attendance so please communicate with your child's teacher or other staff who support your student if there are factors affecting your child's attendance for which we may be able to assist.
Excused Absences
Excused Absences
We understand that sometimes students will be absent from school due to unavoidable circumstances. Please communicate with your child's teacher anytime your child is absent to let them know the reason even if you think it will not be excused.
Excused absences include:
- illness or injury
- a death in the family
- health care appointments
- court appearances
- religious observance
- natural disasters
- outside educational opportunities: You must complete the Request for Excused Absence form (English| Spanish) in advance and absences will be excused only if approved by an administrator.
Please provide a written note every time your child is absent.
Please provide a written note every time your child is absent.
Communication
Communication
Whether you prefer to email or jot a quick note as your child heads out the door when they return to school, whatever works best for you is fine! If you'd like to call the office to inform us of the absence that is great, but please also communicate in writing directly to the teacher so that they can correctly document the reason for the absence.
Teachers care about what is happening in their student's lives. Letting the teacher know why your student is missing school will help them to better support your child when they return and they can also connect you with additional support or resources if needed.
Ways to send a note
Ways to send a note
- Paper note sent with child
- Email to teacher: find teacher email address here
- Electronic message to teacher via their preferred method (Examples include class Dojo or Remind)
What information to Include
What information to Include
A simple note is fine! Please include the date, your child's name, the reason for the absence and your name and contact information.
When Help is Needed
When Help is Needed
Regular School Attendance is Required by Law
Regular School Attendance is Required by Law
Coming to school every day, ready to learn, is important for your child's success -- and it's required by North Carolina state law for children between the ages of 7 and 16.
At Harris Creek we regularly monitor attendance and you will receive letters detailing your child's absences when they start to add up. Use this information as an opportunity to problem-solve and let the school know if there is any way we can help.
Teachers, members of our attendance committee, or our school social worker will reach out to you if there is a concern that absences are becoming excessive. Please advocate for your child by communicating regularly with their teacher regarding their progress in school and contact our School Social Worker for support if you are concerned about your child's attendance. Many avenues of support ex
For more information about the WCPSS school board policy on attendance:
Parents Share Tips to Minimize Absences
Parents Share Tips to Minimize Absences
Attendance Everyday (English)
Attendance Everyday (English)
Parents share about how they saw the impact of poor school attendance for their child and tips for tackling difficulties that come up. Communication is key and the school is here to support you!
Asistencia Diaria (Español)
Asistencia Diaria (Español)
Los padres comparten sobre cómo vieron el impacto de la baja asistencia escolar para sus hijos y consejos para abordar las dificultades que surgen. ¡La comunicación es clave y la escuela está aquí para apoyarlo!
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