The Clinton County School District is taking part in High Attendance Month during September. High Attendance Day is scheduled for next Tuesday, September 20.

Did you know?

* Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.

* Missing 10 percent (or about 17 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.

* Absences can affect the whole classroom of the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school–and themselves. It helps them to develop strong social skills and make friends. 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 to do well in high school, college, and at work.

What Parents Can Do:

* Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

* Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

* Use the school health clinic when possible rather than missing school for medical checkups or immunizations.

* Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache 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 teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel 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.

The good news is this is a problem that can be fixed when schools and communities work with students and families, starting in the early grades to identify barriers to getting to school, help students overcome these barriers, and cultivate a culture of attendance that encourages showing up every day when it isn’t easy. This starts by helping everyone in the community recognize they have a stake and a role.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s attendance, contact your child’s school or Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) Julie York at 606-387-6480.