It's a simple fact that students who attend school regularly learn more, and are more successful in school, than students who do not. Parents who make regular school attendance a priority also are helping their children learn to accept responsibility − an important lesson for a successful life.

Attendance patterns are formed early in life! Children who develop good attendance habits in the early grades will be more likely to continue them throughout their time in school. That's important, because students who don't attend school miss out on carefully planned sequences of instruction. They miss active learning experiences, participating in class discussions and the opportunity to seek help. They are more likely to fall behind and drop out.

When students are absent from school:

• Valuable instruction time is lost.
   
  • Even when not in school, students in grades 6 through 12 at Crescent Public Schools should be able to use their laptop computers to access their teachers' Moodle Learning Environment to get curriculum material and assignments.
   
• They have a hard time catching up.
   
  • The Moodle Learning Environment can be used to keep students from getting behind!
   
• State funding for the school is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). When your child is not in school it decreases school funding.

• Send children to school on days with "short" schedules as well as regularly scheduled days.
• Plan family trips during non-school days.
• Schedule medical and dental appointments during non-school hours or days.

• Teachers can't provide the support needed if students aren't in school, so attendance is a must.
• Parents/Teachers can influence attendance and poor attendance can be prevented.
• Parents − especially in the early years − are in the best position to ensure children attend school and to set the priority of school attendance.

• Chronic absence in Kindergarten is associated with lower academic performance in 1st grade among all children and, for low income children, predicts the lowest levels of educational achievement at the end of fifth grade.
• By 6th grade, missing 20% (or two months of school) is a critical warning sign of school drop-out.
• By 9th grade, missing 20% of school can be a better predictor of drop-out than 8th grade test scores.

• Help your child form positive habits and learn the value of regular routines.
• Teach your child that attending school is non-negotiable, unless they are truly sick.
• Build relationships with other families and discuss how you can help each other (e.g., drop off or pick up children, babysit, translation assistance) in times of need or emergencies.
• Identify non-academic activities (drama, art, music, etc.) that can help motivate your child's interest in school and learning.

• Pathways Counseling Resource Center
  Heather Brett, Director
  405-969-3738 ext. 4252
   
• High School Counselor
  Beverly McCombs
  405-969-2003 ext. 2170
   
• Elementary Counselor
  Gaye Backer
  405-969-3738 ext. 4255