Amherst Middle School

😁😁The Power of Presence: Why Good Attendance Matters

Going to school every day might seem like a simple routine, but did you know that consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in your success as a student? Being present in class allows you to fully engage with your learning, participate in discussions, and build strong relationships with your teachers and classmates. Let's explore why good attendance is so crucial and understand the difference between two important terms: truancy and chronic absenteeism.
☝️☝️Why Every Day Counts

Think about a puzzle. Each lesson, each activity, and each day at school is like a piece of that puzzle. If you miss a day, you miss a piece, and it can become harder to see the whole picture. 

❓❓Truancy vs. Chronic Absenteeism: What's the Difference?

While both terms refer to missing school, they have distinct meanings:

👉Truancy refers specifically to unexcused absences. This means missing school without a valid reason, such as illness or a family emergency. Truancy often involves students skipping class or school without their parents' knowledge or permission. Schools typically have policies in place to address truancy, as it can be a sign of disengagement or other challenges.

👉Chronic Absenteeism, on the other hand, is a broader term that means missing a significant number of school days for any reason—excused or unexcused. The widely accepted standard for chronic absenteeism is missing 18 or more days of school in a single academic year. This amount of missed school can severely impact a student's learning, regardless of whether the absences were excused or not. When you miss nearly a month of school, it's incredibly difficult to catch up on lessons, assignments, and critical concepts.

😲😲The Impact of Missing School

Whether it's truancy or chronic absenteeism, the impact on your learning can be substantial. Every day you are not in school is a missed opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Let's Be There!

Our school is committed to supporting your success, and that starts with being in class. We encourage all students and families to prioritize consistent attendance. If you're facing challenges that make it difficult to come to school regularly, please reach out to a teacher, counselor, or administrator. We are here to help!

Remember, your presence in the classroom makes a difference—to your own learning and to the vibrant community of our school. Let's make every day count! 

👀Check out this attendance video for more info!👀