Superintendent's Digest
Volume 3 Issue 3 October 2022
Attendance Matters
Research shows that attending school every day increases a student's chances of success in school and in life. Lincoln's vision is to provide a quality education that yields successful citizens. In order to do this students must be present in school. One of our areas of focus for this school year is to improve positive school attendance. In order to educate the whole child, which includes academics as well as the characteristics of successful learners; attendance is an important component of both. Research shows that attendance habits begin early and that there is a direct correlation between achievement and attendance. Students who are "Chronic or habitual truant" shall be defined as a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for 5% which is 9 or more of the 180 regular attendance days. "Chronic absence" means absences that total 10%, which is 18 or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause, and out-of-school suspensions for an enrolled student, equates to 18 days.
- Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
- An estimated 5 million to 7.5 million U.S. students miss nearly a month of school each year.
- Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
- When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating
- Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students.
Beginning in October, parents will receive a monthly report on their child’s attendance. We know that absences can be unavoidable. However, our goal is to work with families to decrease unnecessary absences and move students from chronic or at-risk to positive attendance. We are happy to work with you to address specific issues related to your child’s school attendance.
Positive Attendance
Positive attendance is defined as being in school for 95% of the time or more, which means missing fewer than 9 days throughout a school year. Students are considered at-risk if they are missing school more than 5% of the time. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss more than 10% of school days.
Positive Attendance (fewer than 9 absences)
At-Risk (9-17.5 days absent)
Chronic Absence (18 or more days absent)
Ways in which Lincoln is working to improve student attendance:
Increase parent awareness of the importance of positive attendance
Monitor and track tardy and attendance data on a monthly basis
Work with parents to address any concerns related to excessive absences
Provide teachers and other school personnel with training on recognizing and addressing school related anxiety
Implement interventions for students who may be considered at-risk or chronically absent
Review current practices and develop plans to create a positive school environment that is safe, and consistent with a culture of empathy
Below are some resources you may find helpful.
Keep your Child on Track in Middle School and Junior High
Build Good Attendance Habits Early
Tips from Wilmette Public SD 39
Parent/Family Engagement
Lincoln is working diligently to provide parents with tools and resources to engage them in the educational process of their children. We provide workshops on academics, behaviors, self care and this year our book club is reading The Whole-Brain Child. Our workshops are not just for young or inexperienced parents; they're for everyone who wants to be a better parent.
There are many benefits to participating in parent workshops:
- The more engaged parents are in parenting workshops, the better their confidence, the more positive their view of their role as a parent, and the greater the levels of interaction with their children.
- When parents increase their levels and quality of interactions with their children, children become better prepared for school and personal success.
- Staying up-to-date on the newest and most effective parenting techniques.
- Can take the mystery out of being a parent, sharing what to expect, effective ways to discipline, and the best ways to prepare their children for school.(Epic for Children)
Workshop information is shared via our website and email. We look forward to having you join these very informative and interactive sessions.
Lincoln's Parent Book Club Selection
The parent book club meets every 2nd Monday of the Month. Parents read a chapter a month. They come together and discuss what they've read and share thoughts. It's a great way to approach parenting challenges.
Parents who were interested in joining the preschool book club had the opportunity to sign up at the beginning of September; parents that signed up received The Whole - Brain Child, book and a welcome goodie bag that included a notebook, highlight and bookmark.
There are now 28 parents participating in the book club.
The book aims to educate parents on better ways to support their developing children's minds while also acknowledging that our children's brains are still expanding and that we can assist them in creating coping mechanisms for the variety of situations they encounter.
Book Club Meeting Dates:
October 17, 2022,Chapter 1
November 14, 2022,Chapter 2
December 12,2022, Chapter 3
January 9, 2023,Chapter 4
February 13,2023, Chapter 5
March 13,2023, Chapter 6
April 17, 2023-Conclusion
9am-10am
Parent Room 105