One missed day of school can mean two days of falling behind for your child. Missing school makes it more difficult for a child to learn to stay on track with assignments.
Every day in school is another chance for a child to learn something new. Most children need to repeat something new at least seven times before they learn it properly.
Regular school attendance is important to getting the most out of school. Success in school leads to success in life.
Make every day count—keep your child learning in school.
Model the Importance of Prompt Daily Attendance
- Help them understand why it’s important to go to school each day and attend every class
- Help them get to school on time
- Set good examples and habits and enforce rules
- Get to know your child’s teacher and school and communicate regularly
- Schedule family commitments or vacations when school is out
- Contact the school if your child will be absent
Staying in School:
- Increases chances for better grades and a more successful future
- Decreases the chances your child will abuse alcohol or drugs or get involved with gangs, crime and other risky behaviors.
School Attendance Policies
Except when exempt by Oregon law, all students ages 7-18 who have not completed the 12th grade are required to attend school full time on a regular basis. Attendance is tracked daily at every school and parents are notified if their student is absent from school without a prior excuse or notice. Staff works diligently with families to prevent absences from becoming a problem.
If a student is consistently absent for more than eight unexcused one-half day absences or the equivalent in any four-week period while school is in session, parents may be cited and fined for violating the compulsory attendance law.
Attendance Team Initiatives
The primary goal of attendance teams and tracking attendance is to keep students in school and prevent future problems. Teams of teachers, counselors and administrators at each school meet regularly to review attendance data reports and absence histories of their students. By identifying students who are beginning to have attendance problems, they can intervene early and start providing positive supports, clear consequence systems, and parent notifications. If the behavior continues, referrals to truancy officers may need to be made.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Truancy has been clearly identified as an early warning sign that student are headed for potential delinquent activity, social isolation or educational failure.” Truancy has significant financial and societal consequences to both the student and the community.
By improving attendance and promoting positive social skills and family involvement, students can achieve academically and choose a more successful future.
Attendance teams were developed and funded in part by the district’s Safe Schools/Healthy Students federal grant.