Every Day. Every Hour. Every Moment.
A student’s presence matters more than they may realize.
Every day brings new opportunities to learn. Every hour provides time to grow. Every moment creates opportunities to connect, participate, and belong.
In recent years, schools across the country have experienced an increase in student absences. When students miss school, they don’t just miss a lesson. They may miss a connection, a memory, an opportunity, or an important moment in their learning.
We know that higher attendance is associated with higher grades, stronger test scores, and greater year-to-year academic growth. But attendance is about more than academics. Being present helps students build relationships with their teachers, connect with classmates, and feel like they belong in their school community. Because, when students show up, their presence is powerful.
Why Attendance Matters
Be Here.
Every day matters
Being in school every day gives students more opportunities to learn and stay on track academically. Regular attendance is associated with higher grades, test scores and year-to-year academic growth.
Be Ready.
Every hour counts
Arriving on time helps students build positive habits, stay engaged in learning, and make the most of every school day.
Belong.
Every moment builds belonging.
Each day at school brings new opportunities for students to connect, build relationships and feel part of their school community.
Did You Know . . .
If your student misses just one day every two weeks, it equals 20 days per year,
which adds up to missing 1 1/2 years of school by the time they graduate.
Enhancing Your Child’s Educational Journey
Consistent attendance helps our teachers stay on track with lesson plans and ensures that every student benefits from a continuous learning experience. This way, all students can move forward together, reinforcing a supportive and collaborative classroom environment.
Regular attendance is crucial, especially for our youngest learners. Missing school means missing essential reading and math lessons, which are the core building blocks for the rest of their school years. A California study reports that students who attend school regularly in their early years are more likely to achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
For older students, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores by the time they reach 9th grade (Attendance Works).
Did You Know . . .
Being late 10 minutes per day is equivalent to missing 1 1/2 weeks per year, which adds up to missing a half year of school by the time they graduate.
Your Presence is Powerful!
8 Ways to Build a Healthy Attendance Routine
Here are eight tips that can help your family build a healthy attendance routine that makes getting to school on time easier.
Your Presence is Powerful
We want all of our students to be successful and their presence in school is a key part of that success. Their Presence is Powerful as it shows they are committed to their education, their future, and their classmates.
Overcoming Attendance Challenges
If you encounter any difficulties in ensuring your child(ren) can attend school, please don’t hesitate to contact your school office. It would be our pleasure to personally work with you to help come up with solutions to support your child(ren) succeed.
We are a family in Downey Unified so let’s work together to make this the best school year yet for our students, their classmates, our teachers and our families!
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as chronic absenteeism?
A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including illness, appointments, or excused absences. That can add up quickly: just 2 days a month can impact learning, friendships, and classroom routines.
We understand that life happens, and every family faces challenges from time to time. Our goal is not to punish families, but to work together to support students and help them stay connected to school as much as possible.
How many absences are too many?
When absences start to accumulate, schools may reach out to check in and offer support. We understand that every situation is unique, and we want families to know that we are here to partner with them, not to judge them.
What if my child has anxiety?
The most important first step is communication. Reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, or school staff so we can work together to create a plan that supports your child’s emotional well-being while helping them stay connected to learning. Small steps, consistent routines, and a strong support system can make a big difference over time.
Our goal is to help every student feel safe, supported, and successful at school.