ATTENDANCE MATTERS Discussion Questions 1. What makes it hard for - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Discussion Questions

• 1. What makes it hard for you as a parent to get

your child or children to school every day?

• 2. What motivates you and helps you to get your

child to school despite these challenges?

Let’s Hear It from Other Parents

https://vimeo.com/101425388

Used with permission of Attendance Works

True or False?

Excused absences interfere with learning. Even once-in-a-while absences can be a problem. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve chances for graduating.

FCPS and VDOE Attendance Policy

▪All children between the ages of 5 and 18 must be enrolled in school and attend on a daily basis ▪Students with 5 unexcused absences – Parent notification and attendance plan ▪Students with 6 unexcused absences – Attendance conference ▪Students with 7 unexcused absences – Attendance Officer referral, possible court action ▪VDOE is also collecting data on chronic absenteeism

An Every Day Investment

Getting to school on-time, everyday helps students...

...become goal-directed and resilient individuals ...become ethical and global citizens

A child’s job while they’re young is being a student!

Explore Why Students Are Absent

Myths Barriers Aversion Disengagement

How to Help Ensure Good Attendance

Strategies:

• Establish a regular bed and wake-time routine.
• Screens off an hour before bedtime.
• Keep all electronic devices out of the bedroom after bedtime.
• Avoid heavy snacks (especially caffeine) or exercising within a few hours
• f bedtime.
• Naps that are too long or too close to bedtime can interfere with regular

sleep.

Recommended Hours of Sleep by Age Preschoolers (3-5) 10-13 hours School-aged (6-13) 9-12 hours Teenagers (14-17) 8-10 hours Young Adults (18-25) 7-9 hours

How to Help Ensure Good Attendance

• Maintain daily routines
• Establish a support network of relatives, friends,
• r neighbors to take your child to school if you

can’t or if your child misses the bus.

• Reinforce good attendance, don’t forget to

recognize improvements in attendance.

• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts.
• Avoid medical appointments and trips when

school is in session.

Don’t Let Your Child Stay Home Unless She is Truly Sick

If You Think Your Child is Avoiding School

• Rule out medical issues.
• Explore why (fear of failure, anxiety about tests, being

bullied, feeling lonely).

• Contact the school for support to help create a plan

for your child.

• Since avoidance increases anxiety, it is important for

your child to learn how to cope with the challenge.

• Golden Rule: If home during the school day, your

child should not be allowed to do anything that s/he would not be allowed to do at school. Maintain regular school schedule.

If Your Child is Absent

• Call the school’s attendance line to report the

absence.

• Check in with teachers on missed instruction.
• For extended absences, request Return to

Learn meeting. Ask about homebound instruction when a medical condition prevents school attendance.

• Reach out to school personnel for

consultation and support when you have concerns regarding your child’s attendance.

How Can Our School Help?

FCPS Attendance Website: https://www.fcps.edu/attendance

Name/Position Phone Number E-mail Address

Attendance Hotline 703-904-4848 HerndonMiddle.Attendance@fc ps.edu Front Office 703-904-4800 School Counselor 7th Grade A-K Sara Broady 7th Grade L-Z Meghan Azzara 8th Grade A-L Danielle Mascoll 8th Grade M-Z Elyana Genovese School Social Worker Pat Humphrey 703-904-4903 pthumphrey@fcps.edu School Psychologist Kelley Wells 703-904-4835 kmwells@fcps.edu Public Health Nurse Nicole Morales 703-904-4991 nmorales@fcps.edu Parent Liaison TBD 703-904-4832

www.fcps.edu