ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL
The relationship between school attendance and achievement appears early in a child's school career. (Source: National Center for Education Statistics.)
Newaygo Elementary School is working with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Newaygo Police Department to provide positive incentives for students who regularly attend school. These incentives include, but are not limited to monthly attendance awards, classroom level awards, and the 100th day of school attendance award. Phone calls are made regularly to parents to confirm absences and to determine if interventions and additional supports are needed. Research shows regular and continuous attendance in school has a positive impact on increased academic achievement. The program has been created in an effort to help every student achieve their highest potential.
In 2017-2018, Newaygo Public Schools kicked off an attendance campaign called Strive for Less Than Five. The goal was, and still is, for every single student to Strive for Less Than Five days absent for each semester per year in order to maintain "satisfactory attendance". This awareness campaign has a greater chance at success when parents are aware and involved with the schools. As we enter the second semester, the five and ten-day letter cycle will begin on January 21. Absences will still be cumulative for the whole school year when reviewed for truancy purposes.
