Monday Memo - Attendance Matters
Cougars,
School attendance is the key to academic success! It's widely recognized that regular attendance is essential for developing important skills and building social relationships.
Regularly attending classes allows students to interact with teachers, participate in discussions, and ask questions, all of which help with learning. But attending school goes beyond the classroom. Students can participate in sports, arts, and clubs when they attend school. Group activities, projects, and discussions allow students to learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, teamwork skills, and responsibility.
Research indicates that missing more than two school days a month equals 10% of the school year which can negatively affect a student's academic performance. In younger grades, poor attendance can influence whether a child can read proficiently by the end of the third grade. By sixth grade, chronic absence is a leading indicator that students will drop out of high school. When students miss school, they miss valuable instruction time, leading to gaps in their education and creates difficulties in catching up with missing assignments. But when students have good attendance, it helps their academic performance, which opens doors to higher education and scholarships. School attendance also provides opportunities for students to connect with mentors and counselors who can guide them in their career choices and offer support.
In addition to affecting a child's academic performance, Texas is one of the few states that base school funding on attendance rather than enrollment. Our district's budget is based on a 95% attendance rate. If we consistently go below that percentage rate, it impacts our budget, and we must operate on a balanced budget. That may mean cost-cutting measures, including eliminating positions.
Recognizing the significance of school attendance is crucial for all of us. It lays the foundation for a successful educational journey and a fulfilling life beyond school. We must partner together to ensure our students are in class and learning. Below are our attendance policy and resources for you to learn more about the importance of attending school and how to prevent chronic absences.
Jarrell ISD Attendance Policy:
Official Attendance-Taking Time (All Grade Levels) The district’s official attendance time every day is 10:00 a.m. A student absent for any portion of the day, should follow the procedures below to provide documentation of the absence. Documentation after an Absence (All Grade Levels) A parent must provide an explanation for any absence upon the student’s arrival or return to school. The student must submit a note signed by the parent. A note signed by the student will not be accepted unless the student is age 18 or older or is an emancipated minor under state law. The campus will document in its attendance records whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
Note: The district is not required to excuse any absence, even if the parent provides a note explaining the absence, unless the absence is an exemption under compulsory attendance laws. Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness (All Grade Levels) A student absent for more than 3 consecutive days because of a personal illness must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the absence. Otherwise, the absence may be considered unexcused and in violation of compulsory attendance laws. Should the student develop a questionable pattern of absences, the principal or attendance committee may require a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the absence to determine whether an absence will be excused or unexcused.
