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Help Your Child Succeed in School : Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
DID YOU KNOW ?
• Starting in preschool and kindergarten , too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school .
• Missing 10 %, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year , can make it harder to learn to read .
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1 or 2 days every few weeks .
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance .
• Absences and tardiness can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up .
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school — and themselves . Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time , every day is important . Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college .
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine .
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before .
• Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required shots .
• Introduce your children to their teachers and classmates before school starts .
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up . Call on a family member , a neighbor or another parent .
• Try to schedule non-Covid-19 related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn ' t in session .
• If your child seems anxious about going to school , talk to teachers , school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning .
• If you are concerned that your child may have Covid-19 , call your school for advice .
• If your child must stay home due to illness or quarantine , ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home .
When Do Absences Become a Problem ?
CHRONIC ABSENCE 18 or more days
WARNING SIGNS 10 to 17 days
SATISFACTORY 9 or fewer absences
Note : These numbers assume a 180-day school year .
Revised October 2021
Visit Attendance Works at www . attendanceworks . org for free downloadable resources and tools !
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