School Attendance & Truancy
One of the most important things we can do to help our children succeed
is to make sure they attend school regularly. Students might skip school
once or twice on a whim, but when they frequently miss school, they
need help. Their education has the potential to affect them for many
years after they have lived in our homes.
Children whose parents are actively involved with their school and
teachers are less likely to experience attendance problems and are more
likely to graduate. We need to demonstrate to our children that we are
concerned about their education and take an active interest in the educational
process.
Trouble at school is one of the main reasons students become truant.
Common reasons for truancy include:
- friends who skip school
- money problems
- depression
- learning problems
- drug or alcohol use
- friendship difficulties
- fear of bullying or intimidation
- harassment
- violence
- language or cultural barriers.
Left unchecked, truancy can have strong negative effects on the lives
of students. Truancy can block future opportunities and lead to drug
use, daytime crime, and violence.
Families and schools can and should work together to find out what's
happening with a student who is missing a lot of school. Together steps
can be taken to help meet these challenges.
Strategies to Encourage School Attendance
- Let your children know that you value education. Insist that they
go to school every day.
- Talk with children about school. Are they struggling with schoolwork,
classmates, or other problems? Ask how you can help.
- Discuss concerns with your children's teachers. Ask them to help
with a plan to help your children succeed.
- Does your child need a tutor or assessment for special services?
Ask for referrals to community programs. Don't hesitate to use medical
or counseling services.
- Get to know your children's friends and their families.They can
influence school performance. Lack of friends or problems with classmates
can also affect school performance.
- Help develop good study and work habits with a regular homework
time.
- Develop a system of praise and rewards for good study habits, good
grades, and other good school-related behaviors.
- Identify and seek treatment for any drug or alcohol issues that
may prevent your child from focusing attention on school.
- Help your child develop and achieve academic goals.
- Develop a phone-in policy with the school to check on the child's
daily attendance, or have the person in charge of school attendance
alert you about non-attendance.
- Explain how dropouts have more trouble getting and keeping jobs
and make half as much money than high school graduates.
Know and understand the school district's policy regarding
absences, attendance, truancy and illnesses.
Superintendent: Shelly Johnson
(218) 834-8216 Ext. 8213
Two Harbors High School
Principal: Bob Nyberg
(218) 834-8216 Ext. 8202
Two Harbors Elementary Schools
Principal: Bob Lackore
(218) 834-8216 Ext. 8222
Silver Bay Schools
Principal: George Starkovich
(218) 226-4437 Ext.8101
Superintendent: Chuck Futterer
(218) 387-2271 Ext. 612
Cook County Middle and High School
Principal: John Engelking
(218) 387-2273 Ext. 603
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary School
Principal: Chuck Futterer
(218) 387-2271 Ext. 612
Sawtooth Mountain Elementary School
Dean: Jim Larsen
(218) 387-1273 Ext. 610
Grand Portage Elementary School
Dean: Roxie Sherer
(218) 475-2345
North Shore Collaborative
The North Shore Collaborative employs a Liaison in Two Harbors who
is a neutral person that helps students stay connected to school by
working closely with them and their supports, including family members
and school staff. The Liaison's message to the student is that another
caring adult wants them to learn, work, attend class regularly, be on
time, express frustration appropriately and stay in school.
Collaborative Liaison
Minnehaha School - Two Harbors
Mary von Goertz
(218) 834-8221 Ext. 8447
Additional resources for parents:
- Truancy Reduction: Keeping Students in School by Myriam
L. Baker, Jane Nady Sigmon, and M. Elaine Nugent
Disclaimer: Listing of resources and websites is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not indicate endorsement of any resources or website. |
