Attending school all day, every day is essential for success in school today and for success in the future in post-secondary education, careers and life.
Regular school attendance has a proven, positive impact on a student’s academic success staring in kindergarten and continuing into high school. As children grow older and more independent, families play an important role in making sure students get to school safely and making sure students understand why attendance is important to their success.
Make School Attendance A Priority
- Develop a regular bedtime and morning routine. Turn off electronics at bedtime. Lay out clothes the night before.
- Avoid missing school unless your child is truly sick and seek help if chronic illness is a challenge.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or well child medical appointments while school is in session.
- Develop a back-up plan for getting to school with a family member, neighbor, or another parent.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, contact the school to work together to provide supports.
Help Your Child Stay Engaged in School
- Talk with your child about his or her day at school. If there is anything at school that is causing your child to try to avoid going to school, be in touch with your child's counselor or principal right away.
- Keep up to date on your child's academic progress; be in touch with teachers as needed. Encourage your child to talk with his or her teacher or to attend after-school study opportunities.
- Stay up to date on your child's social contacts. Peer pressure can often lead to skipping school when students with few friends at school sometimes feel isolated and avoid school.
- Encourage meaningful after-school activities including sports, clubs, and homework support opportunities.
Communicate with the School
- Be aware of the attendance policy at your child's school and check on your child's attendance to make sure he or she does not become chronically absent.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to your child's teacher, school counselor, or principal about working together to make a plan to provide supports.
- Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from school staff, after-school program staff, or community agencies if you are having trouble getting your child to attend school--supporting regular attendance is a team effort!
Recursos en español
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TIPS PARA AYUDAR A SU HIJO DE PRIMARIA ASISTIR A LA ESCUELA TODOS LOS DÍAS
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TIPS PARA AYUDAR A SU HIJO DE SECUNDARIA/PREPARATORIA ASISTIR A LA ESCUELA TODOS LOS DÍAS
Used with permission of Attendance Works
