Our Core Beliefs
• We are committed to creating a safe, caring school environment where every child feels supported.
• We believe in strong partnerships with families to help children thrive.
• In the early grades, it is the shared responsibility of families and school staff to ensure children attend school regularly – five days a week.
Understanding Absences
• Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of the school year—about 2 days per month. This level of absence can affect a child’s learning, social development, and emotional wellbeing.
• We understand that occasional absences happen for valid reasons, such as:
o Illness or recovery
o Medical appointments
o Family events or travel
o Injuries or ongoing health conditions
o Participation in Indigenous cultural activities
How We Monitor Attendance
• Families are contacted daily if a student is absent without explanation.
• Each month, the principal reviews attendance:
o If a student is approaching or exceeding the 10% threshold, we look into the reasons.
o Staff members with existing relationships check in with families to understand the nature of the absences.
o If absences are infrequent and short-term, no further action is taken unless a pattern emerges.
Responding to Chronic Absenteeism
• If absences appear chronic, we reach out in a supportive and solution-focused way:
1. A trusted staff member contacts the family to listen, understand, and offer support as appropriate.
2. If absences continue, the principal or another trusted adult follows up with enhanced support options, including referrals to the school-based team if needed.
3. Ongoing absenteeism will be addressed in similar ways, and the principal may contact appropriate district-based leaders for support and guidance.
When Students Return
• Students are never shamed or punished for missing school.
• We focus on meeting returning students where they are, helping them catch up without losing current learning opportunities.
• Our goal is to strengthen relationships, build resilience, and reduce future absences.
Homework
• In elementary school, homework is not a replacement for missed classroom learning.
• We do not provide programming for days missed.