Good attendance is crucial

With school starting this Thursday, it is important to remind families about the importance of sending their children to school every day.

Whether a child is in kindergarten or 12th grade, the stakes are high.

Missing too much school affects present and future success. There is a direct correlation between attendance and success in school. If students are not present, they do not learn.

Good attendance is important at every grade level but especially crucial in elementary school as students are learning the foundations of reading, writing and math. In later years, students are developing habits that will affect their ability to pursue additional training, be successful in college or hold a job.

We know that students who begin missing school at an early age are most likely to drop out before graduation. At the high school level, students who miss more than 10 days in a school year have a much higher incidence of failing grades than those students who have few absences.

As we begin a new school year, remember the basics: Get plenty of sleep (most teenagers require 8 to 10 hours each night), eat a good breakfast, arrive at school on time and be present each day.

While it is our job to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning, we need parents to help us by sending students to school each day ready to learn.

Our community must have a shared understanding in stressing the importance of education and good attendance.

By encouraging our youths to take advantage of the many educational opportunities we have in our community, they have a better chance of developing the skills necessary to be successful and productive citizens.

CARLA FEE, At Risk Coordinator, Cape Girardeau School District