Attendance Matters - Elementary Schools

Help Your Child Success in Elementary School: 

Build the Habit of Good Attendance

DID YOU KNOW?

• Participation in early education programs, like preschool and Head Start, lead to better attendance in kindergarten.

• Starting in kindergarten, missing 10% of school (or just 2 days every month) can make it harder to learn to read and cause children to fall behind in school.

• Good attendance, whether class is held in person or remotely, can help children do well in school, and eventually in the workplace.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Contact your child’s teacher(s) and let them know how to reach you.
• Ask about the school’s attendance policy.

• Establish routines for bedtime, waking up and showering up for class.
• Develop back-up plans for getting your child to school.
• When school is in session, avoid extended family trips and non-urgent medical appointments.
• Ask your child’s teacher about attendance and tell the teacher any concerns you have.

• Monitor your child's attendance and participation; and contact the teacher to address any concerns
• Make sure your child gets the flu vaccine and other required shots.
• Find out if your child feels comfortable in school, is engaged and has a trusted adult or close friend at their school. If this is a concern, consider contacting your child's teacher.
• If your child seems bored or anxious about school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Ask for help when you need it. School staff, after-school program providers, and other parents or community agencies are available to help families obtain food or housing and address other experiences that make it difficult to attend and participate.

Printable / PDF Resources

Materials developed in partnership with ConnectEd, Families in Schools, and Parent Institute for Quality Education.

Visit www.attendanceworks.org for more downloadable resources.