Yikes! Did you know that our school's student tardy rate is rapidly growing so far this year?
Week 1: 2.08% of students arrived late to school
Week 2: 2.8% of students arrived late to school
Week 3: 4.13% of students arrived late to school
This means on any given day we have 8-17 students starting their day late — and that’s a habit we can improve together!
Arriving on time sets the tone for the entire day. It helps students feel prepared, connected, and ready to learn. When students are late, they miss important morning routines and valuable instruction that sets them up for success.
Let’s make it a priority to arrive on time each day. Together, we can build stronger routines and help our students start each day with confidence and focus. Every minute counts!
10 tips to help get your child to school on time, every day
Set attendance goals with your child and track their progress on a calendar. Try offering small rewards for not missing any school, such as a later bedtime on weekends.
Help your child get a good night's sleep. A lack of sleep is associated with lower school achievement starting in middle school. Not getting enough sleep is also linked with more, missed school and tardiness. Most younger children need 10-12 hours per night and adolescents (13-18 years of age) need 8-10 hours per night. Check how many hours your child needs here.
Prep the night before to streamline your morning. Have your child lay out their clothes before going to bed. Have backpacks and lunches packed. Develop back-up plans for getting to school in case something comes up, like a missed bus or an early meeting. Have a family member, a neighbor or another trusted adult on standby to take your child to school if you ever need help.
Schedule extended trips during school breaks. This helps your child stay caught up in school learning. It also sets the expectation for your child to be in school during the school year. Remember that even in elementary school, missing a week of classes can set your child behind on learning.
Stay up-to-date on routine well child and dental visits. These visits help ensure your child is on track with their growth and development. They also help keep them up-to-date on preventive care, including vaccines. Regular connections with your pediatrician and dental provider helps catch any health issues early. When possible, try to schedule these and other medical appointments before or after school hours.
Don't have your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Reasons to keep your child home from school include a fever greater than 100 degrees F, vomiting, diarrhea, a hacking cough, toothache or other infectious illnesses. Keep in mind, complaints of frequent stomachaches or headaches can be a sign of anxiety and may not be a reason to stay home.
If your child has a chronic health issue such as asthma, allergies or seizures, talk with your pediatrician about developing a school action plan. Meet with and get to know the nurse at your child's school. If you need guidance and documentation for an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan, inquire with the school principal to learn about getting services at school.
Talk with your child about the reasons why they do not want to go to school. School-related anxiety can lead to school avoidance. Talk to your child about their physical and emotional symptoms. Try to get them to talk about any emotional struggles they may have with issues like bullying, fear of failure or actual physical harm. If you are concerned about your child's mental health, talk with your pediatrician, your child's teacher or school counselor.
Follow the rules. Be sure you know what your school's requirements are for when your child will be absent or late. If you are supposed to call, email or provide a doctor's note after a certain number of days out, then do it. If we want our children to follow rules, we must lead by example.
Look for activities at school that match your child's interests. Does your child's school have a club or an after-school program that might interest them? Is there a school sports team or musical group they could join? Special activities like this can help kids connect with school and keep them motivated to attend.
