Building Stronger Student Attendance

At the Northeastern Catholic District School Board, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. A crucial factor in achieving this is consistent daily attendance. When students are in the classroom, they are engaged in learning, building relationships, and developing the skills they need for a bright future.

We acknowledge that student attendance is an area where our school board needs to improve, and we are committed to working with our families to address this challenge. We know that life can be complex, and there are many reasons why a student might miss a day of school. However, we also know that every day of learning counts.

We are working towards meeting the provincial expectation for student attendance, which is 90%. In order to reach this rate, each of our students must be absent for fewer than 18 days over the entire school year, or less than 2 days each month. Absences for any reason – illness, bus cancellations, appointments, and family vacations – all count as absences and work against the overall attendance rate.

Parents and guardians are our most important partners in this effort. By working together with school staff, we can create a supportive environment that encourages students to come to school each day, ready to learn. Here are some direct ways you can help us improve student attendance:

• Communicate with the School: If your child is going to be absent, please contact the school office as soon as possible. This communication helps us ensure your child’s safety and well-being.
• Establish a Routine: A consistent daily routine, including a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast, can make a significant difference in your child’s ability to get to school on time and ready to learn.
• Discuss the Importance of Attendance: Talk with your child about why going to school every day is important for their education and future.
• Plan Strategically: Absences for routine appointments and vacations should be minimized as much as possible. Aim to plan these events outside of the school day whenever you can.
• Reach Out for Support: If you are facing challenges that make it difficult for your child to attend school, please don’t hesitate to reach out to school staff. We have resources available to help.

By partnering together, we can ensure that every student at the NCDSB has the opportunity to succeed. We appreciate your continued support in your child’s education and look forward to improving student attendance together.