September is National Attendance Month

By Carolyn Drinkard

Special to The Watchman

There’s no better time than the beginning of the school year to remind and encourage students to be in school on time, every day.  Every year, millions of hours of instruction and learning are missed due to absences.

Parents and students need to understand the importance of attendance, starting in the early grades and continuing through high school. Regular attendance matters for doing well in school and life.

Developing the habit of coming to school every day should start early. Studies show that students who miss too many days in Pre-K or kindergarten struggle academically later. These students have difficulties in reading by the third grade. Poor attendance affects a student’s performance later in upper grades, and it is also an indicator that a student may drop out of school before graduating. Poor attendance in school also affects a student’s performance later on the job.

Families can help students stay on track and attend school every day. Here a few guidelines to help students have perfect attendance:

• Schedule doctors’ appointments at times when students do not have to miss school.
• Get the family into a regular schedule. Lay out clothing and pack backpacks the night before.
• Get 9-11 hours of sleep, especially for younger students.
• Keep in touch with the teachers and let them know where to reach you, if problems arise.
• Set a good example by letting the child know that attendance is important to you.

Students need to be at school, on time, every day.