Ridgefield School District is working hard to ensure every student can learn and grow by being at school regularly. Being at school is important for learning, building friendships, and participating in the school community. We want to support your student’s success through attendance and engagement in school.
Why Attendance Matters:
Missing just 2 days per month (or 10% of school attendance days) can impact your student’s chances of reading at grade level by the third grade (elementary) or graduating on time (middle and high school).
School is also essential for students to build friendships and learn how to be in community with their peers and adults.
Absences can signal problems like disengagement, academic struggles, or bullying, and are therefore important to pay attention to.
How families can help:
Follow health guidelines so that you know when to keep your child home due to illness and when to send them to school. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital has a handy guide to help you know when your child is too sick to go to school
If your student will be absent, contact your school’s attendance secretary. Contact information for our attendance secretaries can be found on our website at https://www.ridgefieldsd.org/page/attendance
Reach out to us if your student is struggling to come to school or if you are having challenges getting your child to school. We are here to help.
More Things Families Can Do:
Set a consistent bedtime and morning routine.
Prepare for school the night before, ensuring homework is done and your child gets enough rest.
Talk to your child about the importance of school and attendance.
Keep track of the number of days your child has missed on a calendar in a visible location in the home, and ask your child to assist with tracking the days.
Days can add up quickly. Aim to keep absences to 9 days or less in a school year.
Schedule appointments before or after school, or at the very beginning or end of the day to minimize the amount of time your student will be out of school.
Schedule your vacations during district-scheduled holidays.
Have backup plans for transportation. Consider using My Family’s Help Bank resource to make a plan.
Communicate with your child’s teacher, the front office or the school counselor, about any concerns.
Encourage after school activities.
We're Here to Help:
We understand challenges that affect attendance and are here to help.
Use our resources, like our school nurses or counselors for support.
We will take attendance daily (as required by state law), communicate when your student has an unexcused absence, and help overcome barriers.
What Families Need to Know about Washington State’s Compulsory Attendance Laws:
Washington state requires parents and school districts to follow these steps when students are absent:
Parents:
Parents of children ages 8-18 must ensure their children attend full-time public school, private school, or receive home-based instruction
If parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend school full-time.
For more detailed information, please review our district attendance policies and procedures . You can also read more about the Washington State Compulsory Attendance Laws here: (Chapter 28A.225 RCW).
Thank you for your help and support in ensuring students are at school and ready to learn and grow!