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September 2019
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September is Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month
Published: September 23, 2019
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we’ve joined United Ways across the United States to raise awareness of the effects of chronic absence on a child’s ability to succeed in school.
Each year, up to 7.5 million students across the country are chronically absent – missing 10 percent, or just 18 days total, of school for any reason.
Everyday attendance is key to increasing graduation rates.
Research shows that chronically-absent students are less likely to succeed academically, and are more likely to be suspended and eventually dropout of school.
Low income youth are four times more likely to be chronically absent than their peers – due to homelessness, transportation barriers, dental needs, asthma and other chronic illnesses.
More than eight in 10 chronically-absent kindergartners and first graders will not read at grade level by the end of third grade.
Three out of four sixth graders who are chronically absent will never graduate high school.
Your United Way is committed to fighting chronic absenteeism in the Lehigh Valley through the Challenge 5 Initiative, which encourages kids to strive for less than give absences all year. By working to prevent chronic absenteeism, we are working to give our youth a brighter future.
Help your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
Don’t let your child stay home unless 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 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.
Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Source: Attendance Works
When is sick too sick for school?
Send me to school if:
I have a runny nose or a little cough, but no other symptoms
I haven’t taken any fever reducing medicine for 24 hours, and I haven’t had a fever during that time.
I haven’t thrown up or had diarrhea for 24 hours.
Keep me home if:
I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees after taking medicine.
I’m throwing up or have diarrhea.
My eyes are pink and crusty.
Call the doctor if:
I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees for more than two days.
I’ve been throwing up or have diarrhea for more than two days.
I’ve had the sniffles for more than a week, and they aren’t getting better.
I have asthma symptoms after using my inhaler.
For more information about Challenge 5, attendance awareness and chronic absence, contact
Gina Nichols
.
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