Regular and consistent attendance is critical in obtaining a solid and productive education. A study (2019) conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), showed that for every absence a student incurs, the student's chances of successfully completing and passing the class drops by 2-1/2 percent. There is more, however, than just the educational implications. We now need to consider the social impact of missing school.
In September of 2020, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on the psychological effect of students missing school. For every day a student was absent, there was a 9.3% increase in the chance that a student would develop some psychological disorder such as depression or anxiety. Our students have missed out on many different educational opportunities, but they are also mi s sing out on social opportunities when they are absent from school. Both can be detrimental to a student's future.
How then, can we prevent this? It is very simple, show up to school. At Rockdale Intermediate, we have staff ready to receive students at 7:15 am. We start serving breakfast at 7:15 am. By the way, all students can eat breakfast for free this year in our cafeteria. Students begin to be dismissed to class at 7:45. At 8, our tardy bell rings. Our teachers begin instruction at this time. We begin everyday by taking a math quiz, and from there, some students go to interventions, specials or begin class. So even if a student is two minutes late, they are already missing critical instruction and time with their peers. If they miss an hour, they could have missed interventions and/or classroom instruction. If they miss half a day, they have missed an entire opportunity to have face to face interaction with their teacher.
With everything our students have been through over the past years, consistency is becoming more and more important. One way to improve the consistency in their lives is to show up to school, on time, every day. This is important to not just their academic career, but also to their mental health. Our students can ill afford to miss any more opportunities to advance academically and socially. Having this consistent time allows students to waive the fear of the unexpected and focus on building relationships with their teachers and peers. These strong relationships will then encourage them to build a strong academic base which will then build stronger relationships. The cycle then continues.
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