ATTENDANCE POLICIES - Greece Athena Staff Blog

Ideas for Tardy Interventions for SchoolsBased on number of tardies per student in your building, you should consider looking at the data todetermine what 20% of the students with the most tardies have as a baseline to develop next steps.• Tardy concern is identified by attendance personnel or other resource (i.e. classroomteacher)• Individual meeting with student to discuss concerns• Letter home• Phone call home• Detention assigned• Conference with parent and student• IST meeting heldEach part of this process is carefully documented.Truancy Information for Schools/Parents:Common reasons for truancy:• School Problems: conflicts with teachers, classmates, anxiety, school is unimportant, fear offailure• Personal Problems: low self-esteem, health problems, substance abuse, negative influences• Family Problems: needs to help care for family member, no transportation, neglect/abuse inhome, needs to workResponding to truancy:• Talk to your child about your concerns• Share with your child the impacts of truancy• Reassure your child you will help get them back on track• Listen to your child and encourage them to open upPossible solutions:• Get any needed help with school work• Speak to school staff for help to put solutions into action• See a health-care/mental health provider about any health problems, substance abuse and/ormental health needs• Encourage child to get involved at school or outside clubHelpful website about schoolwide attendance needs for schools:www.attendanceworks.org11