- West Junior High School
- Overview
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Regular attendance is necessary for success in school. Help ensure that your child has the best opportunity for success by making sure he/she is in school every day.
If your child is sick or misses school, an excuse needs to be turned in within 3 days upon returning from the absence. Excuses can be submitted in any of the following ways:
1. Students should drop off their absence note to the attendance window upon returning to school.
2. Parents may email a note to: wjhsattendance@pmsd.org
3. Parents or Dr. may fax notes to Attendance at #570-839-7397, attention Mrs. Maurer.
The Importance of School Attendance
Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance and success -- absenteeism is often the greatest single cause of poor performance and achievement.
Why is it so important to attend every day?
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Learning is a progressive activity – each day’s lessons build upon those of the previous day(s)
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Reading the material and completing work independently does not make up for the loss of insight gained during class discussion or the loss of competency acquired through explanation.
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Many classes use lectures, discussions, demonstrations, experiments, and participation as part of the daily learning activities and these cannot be made up if absent.
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Regular student participation in daily classroom activities plays a significant role in a student’s school success.
Are there other benefits to my child?
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Students with good attendance usually achieve higher grades and enjoy school more.
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Having a good education will help to give your child the best possible start in life.
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Regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behavior.
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Students who develop an “on the job” attitude toward school will be more desirable to future employers.
What are the risks of frequent absences?
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A child who does not attend school regularly will be unlikely to keep up with the work.
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The more students miss school, the lower their grades; the lower their grades, the less they want to stay in school; the less they want to stay in school, the more likely they will drop out of school.
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Students who miss school are more likely to be at-risk for anti-social or criminal behavior.
What can parents do to help?
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Parents must model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance.
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Make sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time – you will establish a good habit that will carry through life.
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If your child starts missing school, make sure he/she understands that you do not approve of absenteeism.
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If your child is ill or must miss school for some other reason, contact the school immediately. Ask for homework, and make sure your child completes it before returning to school.
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Whenever possible, arrange family vacations during school holidays so that children miss as little school as possible.
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Take an in interest in your child’s school work and be involved in the school as much as possible – your child will value school more if you do.
Who else benefits from good school attendance?
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Other students: less classroom time is spent re-teaching and reviewing for students who have been absent
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Teachers: lesson plans are more likely to be followed and completed on time when all students are present.
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The office staff: less time calling to verify reasons for absences.
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The school & district: districts with low absence rates receive more state funding
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