Every Day Matters

Students with regular attendance in school are more likely to succeed.

Regular attendance encourages academic and social-emotional success. Together, families, educators, and community members can support a child’s attendance and help each student stay on the path to success.

Dear South Umpqua School District Staff, Students, and Community,

School attendance has never been more important for students in our community, and we are encouraged by the incremental improvements we have made together. At the same time, we know there is more work to do. The urgency around attendance is clear, and our staff is committed to partnering with families and students to ensure consistent engagement in learning. Our shared goal is for every student to attend school at least 90 percent of the time, which means missing no more than 18 days. By continuing to work together, we can support every student in building the habits they need for long-term success.

You may be asking yourself why this is so important. Here are some statistics about why attending school regularly is absolutely essential to your student’s success:

1. 1. Half of the students who miss 2-4 days in September will go on to miss nearly a month of school.
   2. Absences are ABSENCES…they all add up. Even excused absences are detrimental to your students’ progress and should be avoided if possible.  Please try to schedule doctor and dentist appointments in a way that avoids missing school.
   3. Poor attendance can influence younger students’ ability to read proficiently. Early literacy efforts in the district focus daily on phonics, phonemic awareness, blending, and other reading skills. Missing just one day of instruction might equate to your child not learning the sound of a letter which is essential for reading.
   4. Students who improve their attendance rates also improve their chances of graduating.
   5. Chronic absence has doubled in the United States since the 2021-22 school year.
   6. Research shows that missing just 10% of school days can have a negative impact on academic achievement.

We are committed to increasing student attendance and achievement, but we need your help. As we begin to put our updated attendance procedures in place, you will continue to get more communication from the school regarding your students’ attendance. Your attention to ensuring that your student attends school and reaching out when you need assistance will enable us to reach our goal together. We understand that at times you face challenges and may need our help. We are here for you and stand ready to support you.

Thank you for partnering with us as we begin to unlock the unlimited potential in each student in the South Umpqua School District.

In Partnership,
Erika Bare
Superintendent