Attendance

The Importance of School Attendance

Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance and success - absenteeism is often the greatest single cause of poor performance and achievement. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she is in school every day.

If your child is sick or misses school, an excuse needs to be turned in within 3 days of returning from the absence. Excuses can be submitted in any of the following ways:

1.  Students should drop-off their absence note to their homeroom teacher or the attendance window upon returning to school.

2.  Parents may email a note to: ehsattendance@pmsd.org

3.  Parents or doctors may fax notes to attendance at 570-839-5934, attention Ms. Weiss.

 Why is it so important to attend every day?

• Learning is a progressive activity – each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s).

• Reading the material and completing work independently does not make up for the loss of insight gained during class discussion or the loss of competency acquired through explanation.

• Many classes use lectures, discussions, demonstrations, experiments, and participation as part of the daily learning activities and these cannot be made up if absent.

• Regular student participation in daily classroom activities plays a significant role in a student’s school success.

Are there other benefits for my child?

• Students with good attendance usually achieve higher grades and enjoy school more.

• Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life.

• Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behavior.

• Students who develop an “on the job” attitude toward school will be more desirable to future employers.

What are the risks of frequent absences?

• A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work.

• The more students miss school, the lower their grades; the lower their grades, the less they want to stay in school; the less they want to stay in school, the more likely they will drop out of school.

• Students who miss school are more likely to be at-risk for anti-social or criminal behavior.

 What can parents do to help?

• Parents must model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.

• Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time – you will establish a good habit that will carry through life.

• If your child starts missing school, make sure he/she understands that you do not approve of absenteeism.

• If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact the school immediately.  Ask for homework, and make sure your child completes it before returning to school.

• Whenever possible, arrange family vacations during school holidays so that children miss as little school as possible.

• Take an interest in your child’s school work and be involved in school as much as possible – your child will value school more if you do.

 Who else benefits from good school attendance?

• Other students: less classroom time is spent re-teaching and reviewing for students who have been absent.

• Teachers: lesson plans are more likely to be followed and completed on time when all students are present.

• The office staff: less time calling to verify reasons for absences.

• The school & district: districts with low absence rates receive more state funding.