Importance of School Attendance and Being to School On Time

At the conclusion of first semester, 15% of the students had exceeded their allowed absences ("Any high school student who reaches 10 period absences, for any reason, within a semester, will lose credit for that class unless the absences are caused by what the staff and administration consider extenuating circumstances." pg. 20, SDA Student Handbook.)  Translating this statistic to the working world, that would be a full-time employee missing 39 days of work - clearly making it difficult to maintain employment.  Attendance and being on time are problems that are not exclusive to Syracuse.  Schools overall report that student attendance and tardiness are major problems.  Research indicates that students who are chronically late or absent to school are more likely to drop out of high school.  Additionally, these students fall increasingly behind due to missed instruction that forms the foundation of their learning.  Students who are chronically late also disrupt instruction that has already begun in their classes, interfering with the learning of their peers as well.  Finally, this behavioral pattern is carried with these students into the work world as indicated by employers who report similar problems with their employees.  

It is very important that parents reinforce the importance of good attendance and being on time.  These are life skills that will improve their child's academic achievement and develop behavioral patterns of responsibility and discipline.