As we all get back into the swing of another amazing school year, we look forward to the opportunity to learn, grow, and show up for one another.
One of the best ways to ensure success as a student is to limit absences. Our Your Presence is Powerful campaign serves to remind us all that our presence makes a difference to those around us, especially as a student. Missing too many days of school not only has a negative impact on your child, but can also affect their classmates and teachers.
As an individual, missing too many days can result in:
- Missing foundational lessons
- Falling behind
- Developing poor habits
And a student’s absence can be felt by others more than you may think:
- Teachers spend additional time helping students catch up on missed learning
- Classroom learning routines may be disrupted or slowed when students miss key lessons
- Group projects and collaborative activities can become more challenging when classmates miss important instruction
Now, we know absences are going to happen, and our teachers are well prepared for those times. Sick days and family emergencies are out of all of our control. However, we encourage all our students and families to limit unnecessary absences as much as possible and avoid chronic absenteeism.
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism is when absences start to really affect a student, their classmates, and their teacher(s). A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year (even for illness or other excused absences). That can add up quickly: just 2 days a month can impact learning, friendships, and classroom routines.
Get Support
Our goal is to partner with families and help remove barriers that may impact a student’s ability to attend school consistently. Whether your family is experiencing transportation challenges, health concerns, housing instability, challenges with school connectedness or belonging, or any other circumstance affecting attendance, support is available. We encourage you to reach out to your school office, counselor, administrator, attendance team, or Community Schools Liaison. Together, we can connect you with resources, develop solutions, and help ensure your child is set up for success throughout the school year.
For resources and more information, visit: web.dusd.net/your-presence-is-powerful
When students are present, they have more opportunities to learn, build friendships, discover their passions, and achieve their goals. Thank you for partnering with us to make attendance a priority and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can make every day count because Your Presence is Powerful.