Parents/Guardian,
One of our focus areas for student performance is improving student attendance. Student attendance has a high impact on academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in ensuring students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and life.
One of the ways the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) monitors Monett Schools is through attendance; 90% of students must be in school 90% of the time. This proportional attendance calculation is commonly referred to as the 90/90 rule. The Monett School District has not met this mark in the last four years. Our current attendance projection for this school year is 75.8%.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school, it can cause them to fall behind academically.
We are implementing new attendance procedures to help us meet our goals in student performance. The new procedures will include phone calls, letters, and meetings with parents when absences start to accumulate. Depending on the number of absences, the Juvenile Office may be involved. Absences 12 and up will be reported to the Missouri Children’s Division, unless sick or doctor’s notes have been provided or the student is known to be ill.
We don’t want your student to fall behind in school. Please ensure that your student attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
- Make sure your student keeps a regular bedtime and establishes a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Ensure your student goes to school every day unless they are truly sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session.
- While doctor’s appointments are unavoidable, please have your child remain at school as long as possible before the appointment.
- Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your student feels anxious about going to school.
- Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your student to school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call your child's respective school office.
Monett Schools