COVID Strategies
TARDIES WILL BE COMPLICATED THIS YEAR
Please be on time to school this year. We cannot emphasize enough the complications that being late will place on your child. With the need for physical distancing in the office, this will create more time to get students through the office in the morning. We have to avoid congestion.
We want every child to have a great day every day. Sometimes it takes us HOURS to settle down a child who is late to school. Students who are chronically late are a symptom that something is not working. Here are some ideas for home: Let’s have a good day by starting the night before. Set out clothes for school. Gather up the backpack. Set the alarm clock early enough. A good night’s sleep, so the child isn’t grumpy and tired. Leave the house on time. A calm morning starts 12 hours before. If this is not working, please help us help you and problem solve together. Being on time is an important life skill for work and family life. It shows we value another person’s time and respect oneself. Our counselor, Gina Lloyd can help, too. Let’s problem solve early before the problem become bigger.
PLEASE START WAKING UP EARLIER NOW. We’ve been out of school a long time. Please consider start waking up at school time before school starts if sleeping late has become the habit. It will be very tiring for the student if the first day of school is the first day they’ve been up before 10:00 am since March. You’ve got a few days to make a shift for them…and you. We are parents, too, so understand making it easier on ourselves isn’t a bad idea, either.
Attendance Goal
All students will attend school at least 95% of the school year. In order to achieve this goal, students cannot miss more than 8 days of school for the year. All students who achieve this goal will receive an attendance certificate and be entered into a drawing for a new bicycle at the end of the school year.
School attendance is very important. Every absence from school interferes with your child’s opportunity to learn. There is a growing body of research that Chronic Absenteeism, usually defined by researchers as missing 10% or more of the school year (including excused and unexcused absences); has a significant negative effect on student achievement and may put a student at academic risk. The goal for Midvalley Elementary is that all students miss no more than 5% of the school year, in effort to help every students be successful now and in the future.
School Success Goes Hand in Hand with Being in School Every Day! Did you Know?
- Many absences, even in Kindergarten, can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing just one days or two every month can make it harder to learn to read by the third grade.
- Student with too many absences struggle to catch up, even with take-home assignments.
- Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves.
What Can You Do?
- Develop a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Avoid missing school unless a child is truly sick and seek help is chronic illness is a challenge.
- Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teacher, school support staff, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Types of Absences:
- Valid Excused Absence: An absence excused with approved verification (ie. doctor note, dentist note, legal note, wedding announcement, obituary, or other approved verification).
- Guardian Excused Absence: An absence excused by a parent/legal guardian without approved verification. Parents must call the office or send a note within one week of the absence. The limit is five (5) days each school year per Canyons District policy 55.35; any additional absences without approved verification will be considered unexcused.
- Unexcused Absence: Any absence without a valid excuse.
Communication Procedure for Valid Excused Absences:
- Illness or Medical Appointment: Parent provides a note from health care provider to the front office.
- Family Death, Family Emergency, Religious Holiday: Parent provides notification to the school that the students will be absent (obituary, wedding announcement, etc).
- Procedure for Education/Vacation Leave: A students may be allowed up to ten (10) days for education/vacation leave in a given school year, if prior arrangements have been made with the school for the students to make up his/her homework. Prior to education leave, parents complete an Education Leave/Vacation Form for approval. Teachers will complete the “Work to Be Completed” section a determine a reasonable due date. School administration will verify education leave.
Unexcused Absences:
