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 September is Attendance Awareness Month!
he beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Watch this video with tips from Fairfax Pyramid principals and visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
SPANISH:
¡Asistir hoy, lograr mañana!
El comienzo del año escolar es el mejor momento para desarrollar fuertes hábitos de asistencia. Los estudiantes que asisten a la escuela con regularidad tienen más probabilidades de rendir bien en lectura y matemáticas, desarrollar fuertes habilidades sociales y emocionales, y graduarse de la escuela secundaria a tiempo. Ayude a posicionar a su hijo para el éxito futuro.Vea este video con consejos de los directores de la Pirámide de Fairfax y visite la página web de Asistencia de FCPS para obtener consejos y estrategias.
 Attendance Celebrations at Mt Vernon Woods!
We will be keeping track of our attendance in class at Mt Vernon Woods. When a class reaches 10 days of all students present, the class will earn a special reward or prize. Every 10 days of perfect attendance will result in another prize for the class. We can't wait to celebrate attendance with our Panthers! If you would like to support our efforts by making donations or volunteering, email your students' teacher to let them know.
 Chronic Absenteeism: What is it, and why does it matter?
One of the new elements that the Virginia Department of Education is using to determine whether a school should be accredited is the percent of children in the school who miss 10% or more of the enrolled school year. For most students, who attend the same school for the entire school year, this would mean missing 18 days for any reason, to include family trips, illness, suspension, or truancy. While 18 days sounds like a lot, it means that a student who misses as few as two days a month is considered chronically absent.
Why is chronic absenteeism a problem? In addition to being a factor in school accreditation, as well as part of the School Quality Profile, missing more than 10% of the school year has been associated with significant problems for the children. For children as young as kindergarten and first grade age, it is associated with failure to read and do math on grade level in third grade. By middle and high school it is a leading warning sign that the student will fail to graduate with peers, or will drop out entirely. When many students are absent throughout the year, it slows down the rate of instruction for all students.
All students will likely be sick at some time during the year, and it is important to keep your child home at these times, but to have children attend at all other times.
How can you help? Avoid vacations that require your child to miss school. Set a regular bedtime and morning routine, with clothes and needed materials laid out the night before, so your child does not miss the bus or arrive late at school. Make sure younger children get 9 to 11 hours of sleep a night. For older children, 8 to 9 hours of sleep are needed, as well as support to establish good nighttime routines. Pediatricians recommend a “screens down” time an hour before bedtime, when youth have no access to TV, cell phones, computers, or video games. It is a great time for reading. Be a model of these habits in your family. The benefits of a good night’s sleep and regular attendance are gifts that will help your child throughout their lifetime.
When Should My Child Stay Home?
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit our site for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and your school.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify Mt Vernon Woods, so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse, and call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why and for how long. Attend today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Attendance Line:
703-619-2828
Email:
MountVernonWoodsElem.Attendance@fcps.edu
When reporting a student's absence, please be specific about why your student will not attend school today. If reporting an ill student, include symptoms, especially if they have a fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and/or cough. If your student has a diagnosis from a healthcare provider, please include that information.
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