Attendance Connects!
Regular school attendance contributes to student well-being. When students attend school consistently, they have more opportunities to build relationships, engage in learning, and develop the skills that support overall well-being.
There are many factors that can impact a student's ability to attend school regularly, and students are best supported when schools and families work together to understand challenges and identify solutions. Student disengagement often happens gradually. As attendance becomes less consistent, students may feel increasingly disconnected from their learning, friendships, and sense of belonging at school. Please contact your student's school counsellor or administrator to begin a conversation about supporting attendance, well-being, and success at school.
Why school attendance is important for well-being.
Regular attendance helps children and youth build meaningful relationships, access support, engage with their community, and benefit from the people, experiences, and opportunities at school that support their well-being and help them thrive.
Supports Belonging
At school, regular attendance helps students remain engaged in developing relationships, experiencing belonging, and building connection to their community.
Builds Positive Relationships
School provides students opportunities to build friendships, connect with caring staff, and develop the social skills that support emotional well-being.
Supports Academic Learning
Students stay engaged with their learning, maintain progress, and participate fully in classroom activities through regular attendance.
Provides Access to Supports and Resources
Students have prompt access to the wide range of academic and other well-being supports schools provide in their buildings.
Develops Independence and Resilience
Attending school regularly provides opportunities for students to navigate challenges, solve problems, and develop increasing independence in a safe, supervised environment.
Strengthens Protective Factors for Well-Being
Regular attendance helps students maintain relationships and connections with supportive peers, trusted adults and school-based resources that serve as important protective factors when challenges arise.
A shared responsibility.
Supporting regular attendance is a partnership between students, families, schools, and the community. When challenges arise, working together to identify barriers and provide support helps students feel connected, valued, and able to participate fully in school life.
Schools support attendance and well-being through a variety of strategies, including the following:
- Building positive, caring relationships with students and families where students feel safe, welcome, and valued
- Creating a sense of belonging and connection within the school community
- Recognizing effort and celebrating positive attendance habits
- Providing academic and emotional supports that respond to individual student needs
- Monitoring attendance and reaching out early when concerns arise
- Collaborating with community organizations and agencies to connect families with additional resources
If attendance has become difficult for your student, please reach out to your school team to discuss strategies and supports to promote well-being and school engagement.
How can families support attendance?
Families play an important role in supporting regular school attendance. Positive routines, open communication, and strong partnerships with schools can help students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn.
- Talk with your child about the importance of regular attendance and how school supports learning, friendships, well-being, and future opportunities.
- Communicate that attending school is an important family expectation and part of a consistent daily routine.
- Establish predictable bedtime and morning routines that help your child arrive at school rested and ready for the day.
- Support healthy habits, including adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and nutritious meals.
- Monitor your child's well-being and attitude towards school and share concerns with school staff so that challenges can be addressed collaboratively and promptly.
- Whenever possible, schedule vacations, appointments, and other planned absences outside of school hours or during school breaks.
- Celebrate your child's efforts and progress in attending school, especially during times when attendance may be difficult.
Being on time matters, too!
Although an occasional late arrival is understandable, repeated lateness can result in a substantial loss of instructional time over the course of a school year. Students who arrive late miss learning opportunities, classroom routines, and important social connections that help them feel engaged and supported at school. Over time, these missed minutes accumulate and can have the same effect as extended absences, making it harder for students to stay connected to their learning and school community. Consistent morning routines and on-time arrival help students begin the day ready to learn and participate fully in school life.
When is sick too sick for school?
Guidance for K-12 Schools from the BC Centre for Disease Control:
“Staff, students, or other persons in the school setting who are exhibiting symptoms of illness, such as respiratory illness, should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular activities or otherwise advised by a healthcare provider.
If you are unsure or concerned about your symptoms, connect with your health care provider or call 8-1-1”
Read the full health guidance:
Links to Resources
