At Lorton Station Elementary, we know that attendance equals academic achievement! Every school day provides students with valuable opportunities to learn, practice new skills, build relationships, and grow academically. When students attend school regularly, they have more opportunities to participate in classroom instruction, work with their teachers, collaborate with classmates, and develop the skills they need for success.

How Does Chronic Absenteeism Affect Learning?

A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year for any reason. This is approximately 18 days in a typical 180-day school year, or about two days each month. Even when absences are excused, missed instruction can make it harder for students to keep pace with their classmates.

Reading: Students build reading skills every day through phonics, vocabulary development, fluency practice, comprehension lessons, and independent reading. Missing school means missing important lessons and guided practice. Over time, frequently absent students may struggle to develop strong reading skills and understand grade-level texts.

Math: Math concepts build on one another. Students need consistent instruction and practice to develop number sense, understand mathematical concepts, and solve increasingly complex problems. When students miss lessons, they may struggle to understand new concepts because they lack the foundational skills needed for success.

The long-term impact: Frequent absences can create learning gaps, lower academic performance, and make it harder to catch up. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected to instruction and make steady progress toward grade-level expectations.

How Can Families Help?

• Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines.
• Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
• If there is a morning appointment, come to school after the dentist’s appointment; it doesn't have to be all day.
• Make school attendance a daily priority, unless your child is too ill to attend.
• Check in with your child about their school experience and let us know if challenges are affecting attendance.
• Monitor your child's attendance and contact the school when they need support.

Let's Keep Our Roadrunners Shining!

We are excited to continue our Show Up and Shine attendance initiative! Every day your child is present is another opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. We appreciate our families' partnership in helping students develop strong attendance habits that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

Remember: Every day matters. Every lesson counts. Every Roadrunner deserves the opportunity to shine!

Have a Great Day,