Student Attendance is Important - Every Day!
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Every minute counts in the Omaha Public Schools.
Student achievement is directly impacted by student attendance.
Together we can make a difference!
Our district believes that daily attendance is essential to academic success, as well as social and emotional well-being. Regular attendance and participation at school are the foundation for successful graduation from high school. We expect every student to attend school on time and every day. Research shows that there is a direct relationship between student attendance and academic achievement.
- Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind
- Missing 10% of school (1 or 2 days every few weeks) can make it harder to:
- Gain early reading and math skills
- Learn to read
- Achieve academic success
- By sixth grade, absenteeism is one of three signs a student may drop out of school
- By ninth grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than eighth grade test scores
Together we can build a culture of attendance and partner to provide opportunities to learn and grow.- Students who attend school regularly
- are more likely to be on or above grade level academically.
- are more likely to be socially and emotionally connected to the school community.
- Regular school attendance, especially in early grades, is strongly linked to reading on grade level/proficiency in third grade.
- Good attendance prepares students to excel in college, career, and life.
Did you know…
- Attendance is counted by minutes.
- Elementary = 405 minutes
- Middle and High School = 415 minutes
- Late arrivals to school and early check-outs result in minutes missed that add up.
- Every absence – excused or unexcused – is missed instructional time.
School attendance is required by law in Nebraska for children 6 through 17 years of age. The responsibility for ensuring children's regular school attendance is a shared responsibility with everyone. Our district, in accordance with state law, has an attendance policy that supports the encouragement of daily attendance while providing supports and resources to students and families that help address attendance barriers and truancy. Families are encouraged to call their child's school as soon as they are aware their child will be absent. If you need assistance with attendance issues, please contact your child's building administrator, School Support Liaison, School Counselor or School Social Worker.
