Why Attendance Matters

  • One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to ensure your child is in school every day. The benefits of having social interactions with their peers and learning different subjects in school will help them develop skills that benefit them for the rest of their life. By attending class regularly, students are more likely to keep up with the daily lessons and assignments and take quizzes and tests on time.  Other reasons they should attend school each day include: 

    1. Exposure to language: Attendance equals exposure to language-rich environments, which helps students improve skills in reading, writing, and daily communication.   
    2. Time on Task in Class: By attending school, they will receive the lessons you need to stay on track.   
    3. On Track for Success: Daily attendance is a major predictor of a student's long-term success.   
    4. College Readiness: Attendance (even in elementary school) predicts college enrollment and persistence.   
    5. Engagement: Attending school helps keep them connected with their peers, teachers, and the community.
     

Attendance Definitions

  • School Attendance - Students are counted as present when they attend any part of the school day or are participating in a school-approved activity like a field trip or assembly.

    Class Attendance - You are counted as present only when you are physically in class for at least half of the period, have been excused by your teacher to participate in a class assignment, or have been requested by someone on your school support team like a counselor or principal. 

    Tardiness - You are considered tardy if you are not present the moment the school bell rings for your assigned class. If you are not present when attendance is taken, you may be marked absent, so be sure to have your teacher make the change in your record.

    Early Sign-Outs – Early release is discouraged within the final thirty (30) minutes of the school day. If a parent or guardian needs to sign a student out, they should visit the school's main office.

    Notifications: If you are going to be absent, you should have your parent write a letter stating the cause for the absence and the reasons it should be excused. This is important because if you have a prolonged absence or tardiness record, your teachers, and attendance agents are required to check on your wellness. See the table below to learn about our methods. 

    Unexcused Days Absent  Follow-Up Action Required
    1-2 Days
    • Attendance Agent will review student’s attendance data from previous school year and reason for the most recent absent.
      • If student was chronically absent during the previous school year, he/she will be added to watchlist.
    3 Days
    • Send the Day 3 Absence Notification to Parent/Guardian.
    • Schedule a meeting with the Parent/Guardian and student to create an Attendance Success Agreement.
    • Direct family to the FACE Family Resource Distribution Center for support.
    • Staff member will conduct weekly Check-In , Check Outs with student.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.
    4-5 Days
    • Attendance Agent will conduct progress monitoring check-ins with student and Parent/Guardian as defined in the Student and/or Family Attendance Success Agreement. 
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.
    6 Days
    • Attendance Agent will send out 6th Absence Notification Letter.
    • Attendance Agent will collaborate with the Student and Parent/Guardian to create a Student Attendance & Resource Intervention Plan.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.
    7-8 Days
    • Attendance Agent will conduct progress monitoring check-ins as defined in the Student Attendance & Resource Intervention Plan.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.
    9 Days 
    • Attendance Agent will send out a 1st Legal Notice (if absences are unexcused) or 9th Absence Notice to the Parent/Guardian stating that a meeting with the School Administration is required.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct and share the outcomes of the Student Attendance Review Meeting and action items with the student and/or Parent/Guardian.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.
    10-11 Days
    • School will support the action items outlined in the Student Attendance Review Meeting.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.
    12 Days 
    • Attendance Agent will refer student and the Parent/Guardian to the Central Office Attendance Agent/Court Liaison.
    • School will support the action items outlined in the Student Attendance Review Meeting.
    • Attendance Agent will conduct home visit, if necessary.