Attendance Guidelines

Report Attendance

Report attendance absences, late arrivals or early departures, and more via phone or email.
Phone: 360.354.0488 xt. 1101
Email: weeksm@lynden.wednet.edu
Mrs. Marilyn Weeks, Attendance Secretary

The habit of regular and punctual attendance is strongly related to the success of every student. We ask that you help your child acquire this good work habit. If your child will be absent or tardy due to an illness or an appointment, please call our attendance line or email the attendance secretary.

All absences, early or late arrivals and changes in schedule shall be communicated via the Attendance Secretary. You may also notify a teacher but please do so after communicating with the office. A message may be left on the voicemail outside of school hours.

Students arriving late or leaving early for an appointment shall check in and out through the office.

Attendance Matters

Our goal this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But we also know that when students miss too much school – regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent – which means missing 18 or more days over the course of the school year. Research also shows:

• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade
• By 6th grade, chronic absences is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school
• By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores

Absences can add up quickly. A child is considered chronically absent if he or she misses just two days a month!! We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Make sure your child keeps a reular bedtime and establishes a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure that your child goes to school every day unelss they are truly sick (see the guidelines)
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments while school is in session
• Talk to teachers, the counselor or Dean of Students if your child is anxious about attending school
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up – call on a family member, a neighbor, friend or another parent to help take your child to school

Let us know how we can best support you and your child(ren) so they can show up- on time and at school! We want your child to be successful at school. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the Bernice Vossbeck office at 360.354.0488.