Poor attendance damages academic success. When students miss school or arrive in class late, everyone suffers. Teachers spend time collecting makeup work and reteaching. Meanwhile, other students—who are ready to learn—must wait. Teach your child that a student’s number one responsibility is to start school on time every day.

Here are just a few reasons your child should be in school:

• School attendance is the law. Every school district requires students to attend. Your child should miss school only for illness or a family emergency.

• Missing school affects grades. Studies show that when students miss class regularly, they suffer academically.

• Peer relationships often get started at school. A child who misses school often may have fewer friends.

• Tell your child that school is important to your family and that you expect on-time school attendance every day.

Here are a few ways that you can help support your child:

• Stick to a schedule. Establish evening and morning routines that help your child be prepared. Select outfits and gather materials needed for school at night.

• Schedule vacations during school breaks or weekends.

• Schedule appointments for non-school hours when possible.

• Don’t let your child stay home from school to avoid taking a test, to catch up on sleep or to finish a project.

• And lastly, seek help when needed. Many factors contribute to missing school. If your family struggles with health, transportation, work, child care or other issues, talk with school staff.

Our shared goal is to help all students do their best in school.

So make it a priority for you and your student, to get to school everyday and do the best they can. Let's be honest....You can't learn if you aren't there!📕

Every family—and every child—is different, but there are ways all families can set children up for success. Studies show that students are more likely to achieve in elementary school and beyond when their families provide a supportive environment and set goals for the year together.

To set your child up for a great school year:

1. Set the bar high. Insist on your child’s personal best, but don’t demand perfect grades. Praise effort and progress—even if your child falls short.

2. Assign chores. Children who have household responsibilities learn how to be responsible. Make a short list of weekly tasks and expect your child to complete them.

3. Teach social skills. A productive learning environment hinges on students’ ability to get along with others. Promote cooperation and courtesy.

4. Scale back passive screen watching. Set a weekly limit for watching TV, movies and videos.

Extracurricular activities. After-school activities can help students blow off steam and build important skills. Encourage your child to participate in at least one activity this school year. However, remind your child that schoolwork should always be the priority.

5. Be a role model. If you have a positive attitude about school and the day ahead of you, your child is more likely to feel the same way. In addition to reinforcing the value of education, make it a point to attend parent-teacher conferences and school meetings for families. Supervise your child’s work time when possible and show interest in learning.

6. Compliment success. When your child works hard, be sure to speak up. This reinforces the connection between effort and the good feeling of success.

7. Link lessons to real life. For example, math skills can help your child calculate batting averages in baseball. A new vocabulary word may show up in a favorite book. Participating in a group project builds teamwork.

8. Nurture your relationship. Make time to have fun together. Share a hobby. Play catch in the yard. Express your love by being attentive and supportive.

9. Take care of yourself. If you’re always stressed, your child will be, too. Carve out time to relax, exercise or curl up with a good book. A calm, peaceful home starts with you.

Children's attitudes about school affect their desire to learn. The start of the new school year is the perfect time to bolster your child's enthusiasm!🍎

Family-school communication is crucial to students’ success. Whether your child is a stellar student, an average student or has special needs, it’s important to establish a meaningful relationship with teachers and the school. Schoolwork is a vital link between home and school. In addition to helping students master concepts, schoolwork gives families a sneak peek into what, and how, their children are learning. Experts say that reviewing your child's work is important - even if you don't understand it.

Expressing interest sends the message that learning is important.

Here are some ways to nurture your child's love for school and support them and your child's school staff:

• Start early and stay involved. When families get involved early on, kids benefit more. Attend meeting and follow up to see how things are going.

• Listen attentively. Keep an open mind as you hear the teacher’s views, which may be different from yours. Ask for clarification about anything you find confusing.

• Remain calm. It’s natural to feel defensive if your child is criticized. But the goal is to help your child, so focus on solutions. If an initial meeting doesn't get results, try again.

• Praise your child’s effort and progress along the way. Don’t wait for the final result.

Hundreds of studies link family engagement—at home and at school—to student success. Family engagement raises students’ chances of earning higher grades, getting along with others, finishing assignments, graduating from high school, and more!

No matter how you get involved, remember that it makes a difference. All primary caregivers—mothers, fathers, grandparents and others—have valuable contributions to make.

You might be thinking, no way, it's too soon, but the reality is students in middle school are far more likely to be exposed to drugs and alcohol than they were in elementary school. They are, however, less likely to experiment with them if they have received strong anti-drug messages from their families. that is why it is vital that you speak honestly and openly to your child about the dangers of substance abuse.

Address common misconceptions your child may have, such as:

• “If it’s so bad for you, why do you and other adults drink?” Alcohol use is legal for adults 21 and older. Adults, with mature brains, can safely consume limited amounts of alcohol, if they choose. There is no safe amount of alcohol for a growing brain.

• “As long as no one is driving, it’s not a big deal.” Alcohol and recreational drugs are both dangerous and illegal for middle schoolers. An arrest for either one will establish a record. Use at school can lead to suspension or expulsion.

• “My friends say trying it a few times won’t hurt anyone.” In fact, studies have shown that young brains are especially susceptible to drug and alcohol addictions.

• “Everyone says it makes you feel good.” The “good” feeling is temporary and deceiving. In the long term, both physical and mental health can be damaged.

If you or anyone in your family is struggling with substance abuse, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The call is confidential.