Why school attendance matters

Getting back to ‘normal’ means getting to class every day

As families prepare to return to school in as “normal” a fashion as possible, students and families should be aware that following this pandemic year of online and hybrid classes, attending school each and every day may feel like a bit of a challenge. But being in class is critical to avoiding chronic absenteeism and the losses that come with it.

Chronic absenteeism

According to Attendance Works (attendance works.org), a “chronic absence” means missing 10% or more of school days due to absence for any reason. Ten percent is just two days of school missed per month, and the learning loss associated with that can add up quickly.

Starting strong in September is key. In fact, absenteeism in the first month of school is a predictor of poor attendance throughout the school year. Half of the students who miss two to four days of school in September go on to miss nearly a month of school by the end of the school year.

What families can do

Here are some handy tips for making sure your children are free to attend and attentive when at school.

• Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.

• Build regular routines for bedtime and getting ready in the morning.

• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school.

• Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever and monitor for other COVID symptoms.

• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

• Keep a chart at home recording your child’s attendance. At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see.

• Develop a back-up plan for getting to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor or another parent for help.

• Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems or safe paths to school.

Attending school every day matters

Poor attendance can influence whether students can read proficiently by the end of third grade. By sixth grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

The first day of school varies within Pierce and Thurston Counties from Sept. 1–9. You can find the student calendar for your school district on their website.

For more information

If you’re new to JBLM and are unsure of where you need to register your child, have issues with transfers or just need some guidance, please contact School Support Services at 253-967-7195. We’re at 2295 S. 12th St. and Bitar Avenue, Lewis Main.

Source: attendanceworks.org.