Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed September as School Attendance Awareness Month in Maine, and we are excited to join schools across our state in celebrating the importance of being in school every day. This year's campaign slogan is "Rooted in Learning, Growing Every Day: Be Pine Tree Present!" This reminds us that just like Maine's pine trees grow strong with deep roots, your child grows stronger when they are present and learning every day.
We want to share why every day at school matters so much. When students miss school, they miss important lessons, time with friends, and chances to ask questions. Even missing just two days a month can put your child behind in reading and math. Students who attend regularly do better in all subjects and feel more connected to their school community.
As families, you can support great attendance by making school a priority through regular bedtime and morning routines, preparing clothes and backpacks the night before, and keeping your family healthy with daily breakfast, adequate sleep (9-11 hours for school-age children), and frequent handwashing.
Planning ahead can prevent many absences. When possible, try to:
Schedule doctor visits during school breaks
Plan family trips during school vacations
Call the school office if your child will be absent
Staying connected with your child's teachers and school helps everyone work together. Talk to teachers about how your child is doing, ask for help if your child is struggling, and let us know if there are problems that make it hard to get to school.
We know it can sometimes be confusing to know when to keep your child home. Please keep your child home only when they are truly sick with a fever, vomiting, or other illness that could spread to others. If you're not sure whether your child is too sick for school, feel free to call the school nurse for advice.
If getting to school is ever difficult for your family, please reach out to us. We want to work with you to solve any problems. Whether it's transportation, health issues, or other challenges, we can often find solutions when we work together. Let's make this a great school year by being Pine Tree Present every day! Together, we can help every child succeed.