Help your child succeed in school:
Build the habit of good attendance early. School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
DID YOU KNOW?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent of school (about 2 days a month or 18 days a year) makes 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 disrupts the start of class and can make your child miss important lessons.
- Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
- Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- 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.
- Send your child the message that school is a fun place. Introduce you child to his/her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
- Bring your child to school unless he/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 him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent for help.
- Plan medical appointments and extended trips when school is closed or not in session.
- Keep track of how many days your child has missed and how many times they’ve been late.