February 2020

COMMUNITY UPDATE


Student Attendance

February 12, 2020

Dear School Community:

I'd like to take a hiatus from regularly updating you on the status of our district goals to share another prong of work we're currently looking to enhance:  student attendance.

I recently assembled a small group of stakeholders to continue brainstorming ways to better message to our school community the importance of regular student attendance and work through ideas about putting interventions and incentives in place for families that struggle to get kids to school every day.

This work will be ongoing.

I realize that absences spike in the days before and after long weekends, like this upcoming one, as families squeeze in a few more vacation days.  It's time to break that cycle.  We know that just a few missed days here and there, even if they're excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning and put your child behind in school.  This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.  Put simply, too many absences at any age can affect a student's chances for academic success.  Take note of these statistics that reinforce the idea that even a seemingly minimal amount of missed school time has far reaching effects.

Even if the teacher shares a homework packet, it doesn't make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.  Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning, right up until vacation starts and the first day back.

If you need our support in getting your child to school, we're equipped to help you. We ask that you reach out to your school's administration to begin to partner in this work.

Finally, as you enjoy this upcoming long weekend, I hope you engage in a bit of self-care.  In my visits to classrooms, I see many teachers leading students through mindfulness activities.  There's an abundance of research that posits mindfulness in schools leads to greater empathy, engagement and focus, all of which support student achievement.

If you're interested in learning more about mindfulness ideas to try at home with your children, I encourage you to check-out our latest Leadership Blog written by our Supervisor of Guidance and Assessment, Mrs. Joy Przywara.  https://www.kenilworthschools.com/board_of_education/leadership/leadership_blogs/february_2020


Sincerely,

Kyle C. Arlington

Superintendent of Schools

 

 

The Kenilworth Public Schools, the center of a small supportive community, is dedicated to creating adaptable lifelong learners who are capable of making critical and informed decisions as responsible citizens.  Together, we set high expectations for student achievement according to individual goals as well as external standards.  Our curriculum, instructional program, services and resources evolve and adapt to an ever-changing world.

 

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