School Attendance

Dear ECISD Families,

We are buzzing with anticipation for what will be a remarkable year for ECISD!

We understand that the past three years have been extraordinarily challenging for our families. We have collectively faced numerous hurdles, such as sickness, financial struggles, isolation, and, in some cases, the pain of coping with grief and loss. Throughout this trying time, we have strived to provide a supportive environment that prioritizes the health and safety of our students, families, staff, and community.

Moving forward, our primary focus remains on student learning. Our ultimate goal is to maintain a safe learning environment while re-establishing positive attendance habits. By nurturing these attendance habits, we can expedite the recovery of lost learning. Research indicates that regular school attendance:

• Assists students in getting back on track and regaining lost momentum.
• Enhances student learning and increases the likelihood of graduation.
• Boosts students' self-esteem and improves their perception of school and themselves.
• Supports mental health through social interactions, fostering friendships, building empathy, and forming lasting relationships with peers.
• Facilitates a personalized learning experience that prevents students from falling behind.

Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that when families and schools build strong relationships, children are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and thrive academically and socially.

We want you to know that our commitment to supporting you and your family's needs remains unwavering. Throughout the year, we promise to maintain open lines of communication and provide ongoing support to ensure your child's success.

Remember—daily attendance matters!

Thank you for partnering with us to prepare, educate, and inspire each student in the East Central Independent School District, where all means all. Together, we will overcome challenges and achieve greatness.

The First 20 Days of School Are Crucial To Success

The start of the school year is a great time to reinforce the importance of attendance for students.  The first 20 days of school are particularly important for establishing good attendance habits.

Research has shown that absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year, and students who miss fewer than two (2) days in September continue to average fewer than two (2) days absent each month.

When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances of graduating.

There are a wide variety of reasons why students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges, so families are encouraged to communicate with their student’s school about absences and any concerns, so schools and families can partner together to support the student’s attendance.

Here are some tips for families to support consistent attendance from the first 20 days of school and beyond. 

 

• Keep track of your child’s attendance. We've created an Attendance Scorecard to make it easy to keep track of your child's attendance. Click the button to view and download the scorecard.
• Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child can use any electronic devices) and finish homework, and pack backpacks the night before.
• Have a backup plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
• Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or if they have a contagious rash.
• Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance.

Bringing Attendance Home: Parent Video from Rachel Auerbach on Vimeo.