Student Attendance

Welcome to our Parent Resource Page! We’re here to support you and your child’s attendance. Ensuring your child attends school regularly is crucial for their success. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, which in a typical year is at least 18 days, can lead to academic and social difficulties. Below you'll find tips and resources to help your child get to school every day. Our hope is to equip you with the tools and knowledge to support your child's consistent attendance and overall well-being.

Parent Resources to Improve Student Attendance

A Success Story: How a School and Families Improve Attendance Read the article from Attendance Works. Student Well-Being a Top Priority at Ramona High School

American Academy of Pediatrics 10 Tips Read the article from HealthyChildren.org. School Attendance, Truancy & Chronic Absenteeism: What Parents Need to Know

How Much Sleep Your Child Needs Read the article from HealthyChildren.org. Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?

Do you know the impact of your child’s school attendance?

Regular attendance helps your child stay on track with their academic progress, social skills, and staying on track for graduation. Missing just two days a month can add up to a month of missed learning by the end of the school year. Good attendance means being at school at least 95% of the time, which translates to no more than 9 absences in a school year.

1. Set Goals and Track Attendance

Use a calendar to mark attendance and offer small rewards for good attendance, like a later bedtime on weekends.

2. Ensure Good Sleep

Younger children need 10-12 hours, and teens need 8-10 hours of sleep. Proper rest improves school performance and reduces absences.

How Much sleep do kids need? Infants: 12-18 hours. Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours. Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10-13 hours. Gradeschoolers (6-12 years): 9 - 12 hours. Teens (13-18 years) 8-10 hours.

*The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a Statement of Endorsement supporting these guidelines from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Source: Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D'Ambrosio C, Hall W, Kotagal S, Lloyd RM, Malow B. Maski K, Nichols C, Quan SF, Rosen CL, Troester MM, Wise MS. Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 May 25. pli: jc-00158-16. PubMed PMID: 27250809.

3. Prepare the Night Before

Lay out clothes, pack backpacks and lunches, and have backup plans for transportation in case of emergencies.

4. Schedule Appointments Afterschool

Arrange medical and dental appointments outside school hours when possible, and return your child to school afterward.

5. Plan Trips During Breaks

Schedule vacations during school breaks to avoid missing classes, which helps maintain academic progress.

6. Evaluate Illness

Only keep your child home for serious symptoms like a fever over 101 degrees, vomiting, or diarrhea. Frequent minor complaints may signal anxiety or school avoidance rather than illness. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on guidance for keeping your child home from school.

7. Discuss School Concerns

Address any anxiety or issues your child may have about school, such as bullying or fear of failure. Review 15 SEL websites for parents, which contain resources and activities. Also, maintain a good line of communication with your child’s teacher and seek their advice and guidance if needed.

8. Create a Health Plan

For chronic health issues (e.g. asthma, allergy, epilepsy, Type 1 Diabetes) develop a school action plan with your pediatrician and communicate with the school nurse. If your child has special health needs, the school should have a written document outlining a health care and emergency plan. The following information should be in the document:

A brief medical history
The child's special needs
Medicine or procedures required during the school day
Special dietary needs
Transportation needs
Possible problems, special precautions
Pediatrician's name
Emergency plans and procedures (including whom to contact)

9. Follow School Rules

Be aware of your school's policies for reporting absences and provide necessary documentation to set a good example.

10. Monitor Attendance

Keep an eye on missed days and understand the reasons behind them. Consider your child's overall well-being and address any underlying issues. Many districts provide a link to a parent portal that allows parents to view information on various aspects of their child(ren)'s student information, including attendance records.

Are you and your child experiencing housing instability?

Experiencing housing instability or homelessness can present unique challenges for students attending school. In Wayne County, 72% of students experiencing homelessness were chronically absent, compared to 42% of their housed peers during the 2022-2023 school year. To support these families, every school district has a dedicated staff member who works specifically with those qualifying under the McKinney-Vento Act, which is a federal law that protects the rights of students who are experiencing homelessness.