Why Attendance Matters

Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school—and themselves.

Start building this habit as early as kindergarten so students learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Regular school attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school, college, and in the workplace.

Here Today, Ready for Tomorrow!

Attendance Resources for Families

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

Absences add up:

Missing just two days of schools a month means they are chronically absent, which can affect their academic success.

Why attendance is important:

  • By 3rd grade, chronically absent kindergarten and 1st grade students were less likely to read proficiently.

  • By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

  • By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

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 backpacks the night before.

  • Try to schedule non-urgent medical and dental appointments outside of school hours or visit our school-based health centers (SPMS & SPHS).

  • Plan extended trips and vacations during scheduled school breaks, which occur in December, February, and April. Click here for the latest school calendar to plan ahead.

  • If you are concerned about about a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider.

Help reduce health-related absences:

Health-related absences are one of the top reasons students miss school. Occasional absences related to health reasons are expected, but absences 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.

If you have questions about when to send your child to school or reasons to keep them home, refer to the resources below or talk to your child's school counselor or nurse:

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

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.

Information from Attendance Works and Count ME In