Dear Fontana Community,

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas just around the corner, the holiday season is truly in full swing.  Many families plan vacations this time of year and it is not unusual for our schools to see a drop in student attendance right after winter break.  Keeping that in mind, I thought this would be an opportune time to remind parents of the importance that attendance plays in your child’s education.

Children who develop good attendance habits in their early years will be more likely to continue them throughout their school career.  That’s important, because students who miss school, miss out on carefully planned sequences of instruction.  Very young children who are frequently absent may not become proficient readers.  Without that strong foundation, students often fall further behind as they move up grades and they are more likely to develop behavioral problems and drop out.

There is a strong connection between student attendance and student performance in school.  Research shows that students who attend school every day pass state tests in reading and math at much higher rates than students who do not attend school regularly.  For older students, being in school every day gives them a chance to learn more about college and scholarship opportunities, and to take the important exams they need to build a successful record.  Regular school attendance can also help students who are learning English by giving them the chance to master the skills they need more quickly.

Parents who make regular school attendance a priority are helping their children learn to accept responsibility.  Attending school is the perfect way to instill within your son or daughter a good work ethic that will carry over when they enter the work force.  Every employer wants an employee who is on time, works hard and makes a positive contribution.  In many ways, being a student is your child’s first job; it’s their job to go to school every day and learn.

As parents, you play a fundamental role in the education of your child.  No one else has a greater influence in getting a young person to go to school every day and to recognize the importance of a good education and how it defines their future.  By making your child’s school attendance a priority, you will be taking an important step in supporting your child’s school success.

Best wishes,

Cali Olsen-Binks
Superintendent

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