Chronic Absenteeism is defined as a student being absent more than 10% of the number of school days.

At the elementary level, students missing 10%, or about 2 days each month, makes it difficult for students to learn to read and causes students to fall behind at a young age.

By 6th grade, chronic absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

By 9th grade, chronic absenteeism is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores

The chronic absenteeism rate is rising in Gretna Public Schools.  Since the 2017-18 school year the % of students falling into the chronic absenteeism category are as follows:

• Elementary: 2017-18 (1.93%) to 2023-24 (6.64%)

• Middle: 2017-18 (3.16%) to 2023-24 (11.68%)

• High School: 2017-18 (7.8%) to (20.21%)

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO TURN THE TIDE.  LET’S ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THESE NUMBERS FALL!

Talk to your children about the importance of going to school every day.

Help your children maintain daily routines (morning routine, homework routined, bedtime routine, etc.).

Develop a back-up plan for getting children to school if something comes up.

Schedule non-urgent medical/dental appointments outside of the school day hours.

Schedule trips and vacations when school is not in session.

Help keep your child healthy (healthy diet, plenty of exercise, regular physicals , etc.)

Encourage your child to join extra-curricular activities including sports, fine arts, and clubs.

Talk to your children about their school day.  Ask questions.  Stay on top of their social contacts.

Set boundaries for technology.  Too much screen time can lead to lack of sleep, anxiety and depression, and disengagement from school.  

Communicate with the school any time you see a change in behavior with your child.  We are here to help!

Send me to school if:

I have a runny nose or just a little cough, but no other symptoms.

I haven’t had a fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

I have a mild stomach ache.

I haven’t thrown up overnight and can drink liquids without throwing up.

I have a mild rash and no other symptoms.

I have eye drainage without fever, eye pain or eyelid redness.

Keep me home if:

I have a temperature higher than 100.4.

I am vomiting (two times or more in a 24 hour period).

My stool is watery and I may not make it to the bathroom in time.

I have a persistent cough.

I have a communicable disease (head lice, pink eye, ringworm, chicken pox, etc).

Seek medical care if:

I have a temperature higher than 100.4 and any of the following: ear pain, sore throat, rash, stomach ache, or tooth pain.

I have stomach pain and fever, I have bloody or black stool, or I am dehydrated (tired and sleepy, dry mouth) and/or I have not urinated in the last 8 hours.

I have a persistent cough or trouble breathing, or have a fever with the cough.

I have eye swelling, eye pain or an eye injury.

I have a rash that has blisters, is draining, is painful, looks like bruises, and/or I have a fever with rash.