Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students access learning opportunities. Your support can help them to understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job. At SLCSE Bryant, we value attendance and punctuality. Being at school and “on-time” to our classes is one way to build up our community and each other.

DID YOU KNOW?  

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful, and on track to graduation.  
• Frequent absences and tardiness can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully, or facing some other difficulty.  
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. 
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores. 
• Missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success.  

WHAT IS OUR SCHOOL DOING?  

• Teachers are working to take attendance in a timely manner every day. Attendance data is used to make district-wide decisions about start/end times, bussing, and student well-being.
• Each teacher at SLCSE Bryant has an “On time is…” poster hanging in their classroom. This poster explains how to be on time for that specific space.  
• Students that are on time to class for a week-long period are invited to go to lunch early once a week.  
• Students that are late to classes will stay after the last bell to discuss the importance of being on time.  
• Teachers and staff will reach out to families of students that are consistently late and/or absent. We have additional supports to offer.  

WHAT CAN YOU DO?  

Make attendance and punctuality a priority!

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school, on time, every day.  
• Help your teen maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep every night for teens.
• Try not to schedule appointments during the school day. 
• Keep your student healthy. If you are concerned about any specific symptoms, call your healthcare provider or school for advice.  
• If your teens must stay home for health reasons, make sure they ask their teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom.  

Help your teen stay engaged & communicate with the school!

• Ask your student about their classes, lunch time, and other school activities.  
• Notice if your student’s attitude toward school has changed and reach out to their teachers if they need different supports. We have flexible and thoughtful teachers, student groups, and counseling services. 
• Monitor your student’s attendance on PowerSchool. Contact your student’s teachers with questions and concerns.  
• Encourage your student to attend after-school help session or participate in our clubs and sports on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. We have a bus that can take them home!  

 Edited from Attendance Works