Help your child succeed in school:  Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early

School success goes hand in hand with good attendance:

Did you know?

• Starting in Kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10% (about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school – and themselves.  Start building this habit in preschool so they 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.

What can you do?

• 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 he or she is truly sick.  Complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to your child’s teacher or the school counselor about ways to help your child feel more 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.
• For more information on school readiness, visit attendanceworks.org and reachoutandread.org

Keep in mind that in Alachua County:

• A student who misses 5 or more days without a parent or doctor note in a 30 day period is considered at risk for truancy and
  • Parent or guardian will be asked to attend an Educational Planning Team Meeting to construct a plan to increase on-time attendance. 
  • Parent or guardian will receive an official Notice to Attend School
  • A student who misses 15 or more days without parent or doctor note in a 90 day period is considered truant and intervention at the district or even court level is mandated by Florida law.
  • Parents or guardians are allowed to write 6 notes per semester, excusing absences.
  • Doctors are allowed unlimited notes for excusing absences.
  • Every 6 unexcused tardies equals 1 unexcused absence.
  • Tardies may only be excused by doctors’ notes.

If you need assistance in getting your child to school, on time, every day, feel free to call or come in to speak with me. I am happy to work with you on a plan to help you and your student.

Jennifer Kozakoff

School Social Worker

(352)955-6713, ext. 3132