Dear South Lane Families,
As the new school year is rolling, we want to take a moment to thank you for your partnership in the education of your children, and to give greater explanation into why regular attendance is so important for your child.
Attendance isn't just a number to us, it is a cornerstone of our culture of care, building perseverance, and continuing growth. School is so much more than a worksheet or a textbook; it is a dynamic place of active learning, collaboration, and shared experiences that simply cannot be replicated or ‘made up’. Being in school opens up so many learning opportunities that our students need. When a student misses school, they miss essential hands-on learning, key instruction aligned to learning standards, and the chance to solve problems alongside their peers.
In education, a "Regular Attender" is a student who attends school 90% or more of the time (missing 17 or fewer days across the entire school year).
When students show up every day, they live out our district maxims:
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DIG DEEP in Perseverance & Academic Growth: Building strong habits takes dedication and consistency. When students attend regularly, they practice the grit and perseverance needed to tackle challenging academic standards, engage in hands-on learning, and master complex concepts step-by-step with their teachers and classmates. When this is interrupted too frequently, it can lead to a sense of ‘falling behind’, which in turn can increase anxiety or feeling lost. The practice of daily challenges can combat this, and build the ability to dig deep.
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STAY ROOTED in Belonging, Collaboration & Community: School is where real-life collaboration happens. Daily attendance ensures every student feels seen, valued, and connected, whether participating in group projects, engaging in classroom discussions, connecting on the playground, or building friendships in lunch, sports, arts, and extracurricular clubs. Isolation is increasingly being talked about around our country, and the concerns that come along with it. We want our students connected to us and to each other. We also have staff in our schools who are here to support and help. We have an amazing South Lane community, and we are all a part of it.
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GROW STRONG in Habits & Future Readiness: Consistent attendance forms core employability habits that prepare our students for life after graduation. Showing up daily builds reliability, time management, and the confidence students need to step into college, trades, careers, and adulthood. And these skills are not just high school skills, they begin at the earliest of ages and must be continued throughout our schooling and activities.
