The Importance of Regular School Attendance and Punctuality

We hope all of our families had a great March Break and are looking forward to the next term.

Did you know that regular attendance and punctuality are a strong indicator of school success?

Regular attendance and punctuality are a vital part of learning and are directly linked to student success.  

Successful students attend school regularly.

Why Does Punctual Attendance Matter?

Getting to school – every day and on time – is very important. Learning occurs daily, right from the start of class. By establishing patterns early on (i.e. by being punctual and responsible) children acquire positive habits about school attendance.

Some other things to consider:

• If children are late arriving to school, they miss important social     time with their peers before school begins.

• Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

• Late arrivals disrupt the routine of the classroom.

• A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get him/her     to school in the wrong frame of mind.

• Missing even five or ten minutes of the day can make it harder for   a student to understand the material being taught.

•Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and            knowledge base and can cause the child to fall behind peers and  decrease self-esteem.
•Too many missed school days can increase isolation as the child  stands out from his/her classmates and misses opportunities to  develop socially.
•Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good  rapport with the teachers.

Tips for Getting to School On Time

The morning can be a very hectic time. Here are some effective tips for getting your child up and out the door on time:

•Get your child to bed at a reasonable hour.

•Set realistic and consistent schedules and rules at home. Getting    ready for school should be part of the child’s overall routine;  something that’s expected of him/her every day.

•Do whatever is necessary the night before to save time in the  morning, such as setting out clothes, packing lunches, and setting  backpacks at the door.

•Create a set morning routine that your child can easily follow (i.e.  washing hands and face, going to the bathroom, dressing, making  the bed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast).

•Avoid any distractions that can slow your child down, like TV or  games.
•Set your alarm to get up earlier if you’re running late regularly

We are looking forward to the next part of the school year and to all of our students arriving on time at school from now on until the end of the school year.  

School entry is at 8:55 A.M.  

Please ensure that your child is on time each and every day.