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 of bedtime.

• Naps that are too long or too close to bedtime can interfere with regular sleep.

Recommended Hours of Sleep by AgePreschoolers (3-5) 10-13 hoursSchool-aged (6-13) 9-12 hoursTeenagers (14-17) 8-10 hoursYoung Adults (18-25) 7-9 hours

How to Help Ensure Good Attendance• Maintain daily routines• Establish a support network of relatives, friends,

or 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@fcps.edu

Front Office 703-904-4800

School Counselor 7th Grade A-K Sara Broady7th Grade L-Z Meghan Azzara8th Grade A-L Danielle Mascoll8th 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