Attention to School Attendance Is Vital to Academic Success
Sycamore’s principals and teachers always talk about the importance of student attendance, but did you know that what they say is backed up by research? Research has proven that there is a high correlation between school attendance and academic performance, while absence from school is often the single greatest cause of poor achievement. Student participation in class demonstrations, guided practice of new concepts and teacher interventions are learning opportunities that are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate through make-up work given after an absence. In fact, students with good attendance records generally achieve higher grades and enjoy school more. Over time, regular school attendance patterns encourage the development of other responsible patterns of behavior, which ultimately helps students prepare for life beyond the classroom.
The State of Ohio recognizes the importance of school attendance and is clear about schools’ responsibility to follow a set of compliance guidelines when students are absent. In addition, state funding is no longer determined by a count of student membership during one week in October, but rather by daily counts of each district’s daily attendance.
For all of the above reasons, Sycamore asks parents to partner with us to promote excellent daily attendance for each of our students. Parents can model the value of education, including the importance of regular attendance, by making sure that your child goes to school regularly and arrives on time every day. You can be sure your child understands that you do not approve of him/her missing school by refraining from taking students out of school for any reason other than illness, religious observations, or family emergencies.
If it is necessary for your child to be absent from school, please be sure to notify the school the same day by phone (see your school’s absence line below) or in writing when your child returns, indicating the reason for your child’s absence.
Schools are obligated by state law to follow-up with written correspondence when students are chronically tardy or have multiple unexcused absences and to report to the court system when a regular pattern of attendance cannot be achieved. This information is spelled out in our student handbooks http://www.sycamoreschools.org/district/resources.html#student-parent-handbooks
and must be followed by the school to be compliant with Ohio Revised Code.
We sincerely appreciate your attention to your child’s regular school attendance and look forward to partnering with you for a successful, well-attended school year.
Please note new Attendance Line numbers for each building.
Blue Ash Elementary 513-686-1714 EH Greene Intermediate 513-686-1756
Maple Dale Elementary 513-686-1726 Sycamore Junior High 513-686-1762
Montgomery Elementary 513-686-1736 Sycamore High School 513-686-1777
Symmes Elementary 513-686-1748
