St. Croix School-Community Relations Director Janet Brow asks for parents’ help in keeping their children in school now that things are off to a good start.
“The school district encourages good attendance to promote continuity of instruction and to maximize learning opportunities,” Brow said. “We thank all parents that ensure that their child is in school as much as possible and for communicating that you value their education.”
The director informs parents that through education, teachers build a child’s future one day at a time and a school day missed is a lesson lost. “In elementary or secondary school, your child’s academic success can be put in jeopardy if too many school days are missed,” she said. “If your child must miss school due to an illness or any other critical reason, work with his or her teacher immediately to make-up for the lost time in class.”
Brow also noted that non-attendance in school can become a habit that is increasingly difficult to change as the child grows older. “This habit may contribute to dropping out of school and other problems which can impact the child’s future,” according to Brow. “If there are factors contributing to this problem that the schools can help resolve, please call the school and schedule an appointment immediately.”
Brow reminds parents each child is allowed no more than 9 unexcused absences per year. Therefore, if several children use up their full complement of absences at any school, the school will miss the 95 percent attendance indicator. As a result, the school also runs the risk of not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Parents please remember that a note is necessary to change an absence from “unexcused” to “excused.” The AYP measures a school’s collective academic performance. “It is extremely important that you call the school if your child is ill, has an appointment, or any other critical reason for being absent,” she advises. “Please do not keep a child home from school because of a birthday, waking up late, school clothes not washed, or to babysit other children.”
Brow ended by saying, “Remember, it takes a village to raise a child and we must all look out for our greatest resource in the world, which is our children.”
For more on the Department of Education Truancy Policy, parents may call Janet Brow at 773-1095, ext. 7094.
