The Framingham Public Schools (FPS) believes in the importance of regular school attendance by all students. FPS makes a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. You can help your child start building this habit in preschool so that they learn right away that going to school on time, every day, is important. Establishing strong attendance habits will help your children do well in high school, college, and later in life. Every student, every day!

Why does attendance matter?

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways we can prepare our children for success - both in school and in life. When school attendance is made a priority, children get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school.

Students who attend school regularly:  feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to graduate from high school. When students are absent for an average of just two days of school per month - even when those absences are excused - it can have a negative impact. 

Young elementary school students who miss an average of just two school days per month often have difficulty keeping up with their peers academically and tend to fall behind in reading. But when students are able to read on grade level by the end of third grade, they are three to four times more likely to graduate high school and attend college than their peers who struggle with reading. 

As a parent, you can prepare your child for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority.

Our promise to you

We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your child is missing from school, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. There are many people and resources prepared to help you if you or your child faces challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. Please contact your school's office staff and they will direct you to the appropriate person to help support you.

Tips to foster better attendance habits

• Set a regular morning and evening routine.
• Prepare for school the night before by finishing homework, packing your backpack, and getting a good night’s sleep.
• Make sure your child has the required immunizations before the first day of school.
• Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Complaints of a stomach ache or headache can often be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
• Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Keep track of your child’s attendance. Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.
• Talk to your child about the importance of attendance.
• Talk to your child’s teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.