This year the Peoria Public Schools is spotlighting student attendance.  For your student to be successful, it is important at every grade level that he/she be at school and in class every day.  Absenteeism and its ill effects start early.  Poor attendance can influence whether students read proficiently by the end of third grade.  By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism (defined as 10% of the school year or 18 days) becomes the leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. 

Attendance matters as all absences count, both excused and unexcused.  Being at school every day is important for your student to progress through primary, middle and high school.   When students improve their attendance, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.  In addition, increased student attendance equates to additional state revenue for the district.

We want to work as a team with parents to make sure every student is at school and in class every day.  Please read our school handbook and the Peoria Public Schools calendar/handbook so you know what constitutes an excused and unexcused absence.  You need to call the school by 9:00 AM if your student is going to be absent. 

Make sure your student understands that going to school every day is a priority.  It is important that your student gets 8–9 hours of sleep and keeps up with their homework.  If he/she becomes reluctant to go to school, talk to his/her teacher and/or principal.   Working as a team, we can help you and your student examine why they are reluctant and how we can help.