September is Attendance Awareness Month!

September is Alabama Attendance Awareness Month!  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason— it can cause them to fall behind academically.  Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent and we know absences can add up quickly.  A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!! Research shows that by 6^th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.  By 9^th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8^th grade test scores.  Clearly going to school regularly matters!

At Paine Intermediate, we want to help establish positive attendance habits for our students.   In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of attending school, we will recognize all students who achieve perfect attendance for the month of September.  Perfect attendance means being at school 100% of the month with no check-ins or check-outs!  All students who achieve perfect attendance, beginning September 2, will receive the following incentives: 

• Week of September 12: A pack of Smarties because Smarties come to school every day!  Students must be present 9/2-9/12 to receive this treat.
• Week of September 19:  Perfect Attendance pencils.  Students must be present 9/2-9/19 to receive a pencil.
• Week of September 26: Perfect Attendance paw print bracelets.  Students must be present 9/2-9/26 to receive a bracelet.
• September 30: Perfect Attendance certificates and classroom recognition.  Students must be present 9/2-9/30 to receive a certificate for a month of perfect attendance.

Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up.  Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day.   We want your child to be successful in school!