Principal's Thoughts

September is Attendance Awareness Month.  Parents and Families are essential partners in promoting good attendance.  Why? Because you are the ones who make certain that your child(ren) get to school every day.  You set expectations for good attendance and monitor absences so that missed days don’t add up to academic trouble.  Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Start building good habit in preschool so students learn right away that going to school on time every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.  

Here are a few helpful strategies:  

• Set a regular bed time and morning routine. 
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before. 
• Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. If our child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning. 
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent. 
• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session. attendanceworks.org 

  For More information on attendance awareness in Richland two click here.