The JHCS Personal Electronic Use Policy is as follows:

• Any electronic device (phone, watch phone, etc.) must be kept in the child's backpack or locker during the school day.
• They are NOT to be used during the school day
• They are accessible after the bell rings at 3pm

Please support this policy and help us reduce distractions during the school day. Your child can call home if there is an emergency situation.

Hi JHCS Families,

We are in full swing into school. I hope you have found a good grove at home with your family. One issue we are facing here at our school is chronic absenteeism. It is interesting to note that the U.S Department of Education is calling this issue” A hidden educational crisis.”

Facts From the Department of Education

#1 Chronic absenteeism may prevent children from reaching early learning milestones.

#2 Irregular attendance can better predict whether students will drop out before graduation than test scores.

#3 Frequent absences from school can shape adulthood.

With COVID-19 fading into the past, there are some lingering effects, and high absenteeism is one of them. Across the country, the absenteeism numbers are staggering. Some students who face serious challenges often need educational support the most. We no longer have attendance policies from COVID-19 in use and are back to our regular attendance policy. You can find this policy on the John Hancock Charter School Website.

So how do we move forward?

What you can do as a parent:

• Make school attendance a priority.

• Make your student's education a priority, and it will become a priority to your student.

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day. Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.

• Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.

• Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.

• Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomachaches may be signs of anxiety.

• Help your child stay engaged.

• Find out if your child feels engaged in their classes and feels safe from mistreatment. Make sure he/she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.

• Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.

• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.

• Communicate with the school.

• Know the school’s attendance policy.

• Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.

• Check on your child's attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.

• Ask for help from the school, afterschool programs, other parents, or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.

The daily benefits of routine in our lives are not only essential but directly affect our mental health. It helps to reduce stress, better sleep, have better health, and be happier. The benefits of routines for families have psychological benefits that can make a difference when you’re facing challenges. We love to see each of our students and look forward to working with them each day and helping them progress academically.

Have a Wonderful Day,

Sam Grabert

References

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/psychological-benefits-of-routine

https://www2.ed.gov/datastory/chronicabsenteeism.html

https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/attendancedata/chapter1a.asp#:~:text=Students%20who%20attend%20school%20regularly,in%20a%20child's%20school%20career.

https://www.aps.edu/news/archives/2017-2018/parent-tips-for-improving-school-attendance