At South Windsor Public Schools, we are committed to fostering an engaging and dynamic culture of learning that empowers every student to reach their full potential. One of the most important ways we support student success is by ensuring that students are engaged in learning every single day.
At Eli Terry, we value our partnership with you and look forward to working together to make sure your child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive every day.
Attendance: A Top Priority
We want to share that attendance will continue to be a top priority for our school this year. Attending school regularly and being part of our school community builds a strong sense of belonging and lays the foundation for long-term academic and personal success. When children miss school, they miss important learning opportunities that are difficult to make up. The more they miss, the harder it becomes to keep up.
Missing just two days a month—or 18 days across the school year—is considered chronic absenteeism. While a few absences may not seem like much at the time, research shows that chronic absenteeism can have long-term impacts on your child’s success. For example:
- Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read at grade level by the end of third grade.
- By middle and high school, chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of academic failure and dropout risk.
We understand that some absences are unavoidable due to illness or important family matters. However, even when absences are for good reasons, too many can still lead to students falling behind.
The good news is that we’re here to support you. Our staff, including Thierry Huck, our school social worker, is ready to assist you if your child faces challenges getting to school regularly or on time.
How You Can Help
Let’s work together to make this school year a success! Here are a few simple strategies that can support regular and timely attendance:
- Keep a consistent bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Ensure your child goes to school every day unless they are truly sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or appointments during school hours.
- Talk to teachers or our support staff if your child is anxious about attending school.
- Create a back-up plan for getting your child to school (ask a family member, neighbor, or another parent for help if needed).
Please remember that our school day begins at 8:45 a.m. Students benefit most when they are present and on time from the very beginning of the day.
If you have questions or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to work with you because—just like you—we want your child to succeed!
