Supporting Strong School Attendance

A Guide for Families

Consistent school attendance supports students’ academic performance, social development, and future success. We understand that illness, emergencies, and family challenges happen. If you need support, please reach out. Every day matters - because when You’re Here Today, You’re Ready for Tomorrow!

What Families Can Do

• Make school attendance a daily priority
• Talk with your child about the importance of being in school
• Schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible
• Communicate with the school when your child will be absent
• Keep your contact information up to date so we can reach you

What the School Will Do

• Take attendance daily and monitor student absences
• Notify you if your child is absent and we have not heard from you
• Share information about your child’s attendance record
• Reach out if attendance patterns become a concern
• Partner with you to support your child’s regular attendance
• Provide help and resources if challenges arise

When Your Child Is Absent

For all absences, please contact the school as soon as possible to let us know:

• The reason for the absence
• When your child is expected to return

Absence types have been updated in Parent Portal to align with Board Policy. Documentation and/or principal approval is required for excusal from recurring treatment (i.e., orthodontia, counseling), pre-arranged absences (i.e., travel, preventive medical care), family emergencies, extended periods for disability or disorder, and legal absences. Additional requirements may exist when students are habitually truant or chronically absent.

If Attendance Becomes a Concern

If your child begins to miss multiple days, we will:

• Reach out to better understand what may be impacting attendance
• Work with you to identify solutions and supports
• Develop an Attendance Support Plan if needed

Our goal is to partner with you, not to assign blame; we understand that illness, emergencies, and family challenges happen.

We Are Here to Help

We understand that challenges can affect attendance. If your family needs support with:

• Transportation
• Mental or physical health concerns
• School anxiety
• Family or housing challenges

Please contact your school if you have additional questions. We will work together to find solutions.

Please use Campus Parent to update your contact information for the new school year, or feel free to contact us with any questions.

For more information, see Board Policy JH/JHB and Board Exhibit JH/JHB-E.