Why Attendance Matters

Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit early so students learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

Attendance Works

Attendance Resources for Families

Attendance in the Early Grades
PreK & K: Get Ready for School
PreK & Kindergarten
Elementary School
Middle School & High School
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Attendance Works

Make school attendance a priority

Absences add up: Missing just two days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year, which can affect a their academic success.

Here are ways to help build good attendance habits:

  • Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day.

  • Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. Set a regular bedtime and morning routine, including laying

    out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

  • Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.

  • Keep your child healthy and make sure they have the required shots. If you are concerned about about a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider.

  • If your child must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time.

  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning. Introduce your children to their teachers and classmates before school starts.

  • Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.

Communicate with your child's school

  • If your child is experiencing symptoms that could make others sick, please contact their school to report that they will be absent.

    • Brown Elementary

      • Call the main office at (207) 799-5196 OR send an email to:

      • Kelly Perkins: perkinke@spsdme.org and/or their child's teacher

    • Dyer Elementary

      • Call the main office at (207) 799-4845 OR send an email to:

      • Lynn Hilse: hilsely@spsdme.org and/or their child's teacher

    • Kaler Elementary

      • Call the main office at (207) 799-3214 OR send an email to:

      • Amy Heric: hericam@spsdme.org and/or their child's teacher

    • Skillin Elementary

      • Call the main office at (207) 773-7375 OR send an email to:

      • Paula Quirk: quirkpa@spsdme.org and/or their child's teacher

    • Small Elementary

      • Call the main office at (207) 799-7676 OR send an email to:

      • Paula Grant: grantpa@spsdme.org and/or their child's teacher

    • South Portland Middle School

    • South Portland High School

  • Seek help from school staff, other parents, or community agencies if you need support.

Help reduce health-related absences

Health-related absences are one of the top reasons students miss so many days of school they are at risk of being chronically absent. Occasional absences related to health reasons are to be expected, but absences can quickly add up when a child has an under-treated chronic health condition, lacks access to care, or experiences anxiety or other mental health issues.

Health Guidance for Going to School
Tips for Staying Healthy
School Anxiety and Refusal
Missing School Due to Anxiety?
Health Resources

Information from Attendance Works and Count ME In