Student Support & Attendance

Dear Families,

I recently came across an article that highlighted some of the most common reasons students give for missing school. I wanted to share these insights with you to better understand the challenges our students face. Here are some of the main reasons that were reported:

Sickness/Illness

Illness is the leading reason students miss school. We understand that many students fall ill, and it's important they stay home to recover. As parents, it can be hard to decide when a child is too sick for school. If you're ever uncertain, please refer to Section 1 of this newsletter for helpful guidance from the WPS Health Office regarding illness protocols.

Disconnection, Disengagement, and Boredom

Sometimes, students feel disconnected from school or even bored. This can lead to them skipping school. If your child expresses feeling disengaged, we encourage you to reach out to their teacher or the school. We're committed to working with students to discover what might be causing the disinterest and explore ways to make learning more engaging and relevant to their interests. See section 2 below for signs and strategies related to school avoidance.

Mental Health

Students experiencing mental health challenges may feel isolated and unsure of where to turn. This can result in them missing school. We want to remind students and families that these struggles are common, and they are not alone. Our school counselors are available to support students and help connect them to additional resources for treatment and care.

Social Issues and Conflict

At times, students face conflicts or challenges in their relationships with peers. If your child is feeling upset or affected by interactions with other students, please don’t hesitate to inform our school counselors or administrators. We are here to address these issues promptly and work together to create a positive, supportive environment for all students.

Confusion about School Rules/Regulations

Some students may not fully understand the consequences of chronic absenteeism. Research shows that regular school attendance is directly linked to better academic performance. If your child has questions about the school's Attendance Policy, it can be found in the Student-Parent Handbook. For clarity on the state’s attendance regulations, please refer to Section 5 of this newsletter. If you or your child have any questions, we’re here to help.

Family and Transportation Challenges

We know that family and transportation challenges can make it difficult for students to attend school regularly. If parents need to leave for work before school or if a child misses the bus, these situations can create barriers. If transportation is a concern, please reach out to us—we’ve been able to help with rides when needed, and we can also discuss options for school bus passes if cost is an issue.

If you have any concerns or questions about how we can support your child’s regular school attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help, and we appreciate your ongoing support.

Sincerely,
Ed Connor

Richards, Erin. “Chronic Absenteeism in US Schools, Explained.” USA Today, 11 June 2024, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/06/11/chronic-absenteeism-us-schools-explained/73998788007/.

Some students may face challenges with consistent attendance. Their emotions can be difficult to express, and you might notice some signs without your child directly telling you that they are feeling anxious. Some of these signs can include:

• Stomach aches or headaches

• Trouble sleeping or feeling tired frequently

• Increased irritability or blaming others

• Stressful life events, such as a family illness, loss of a pet or loved one, or changes like divorce or separation

• Withdrawal from activities that they usually enjoy

• Difficulty with social situations or conflicts at school

Strategies to address them:

• Reach out to the school as soon as possible
• Work with school to create a plan of action
• Include any family therapist in the conversations
• Reassure your child that school is here to support them
• Keep lines of communication open
• If at home, include structure in their day (light chores, school work, limit screen time, etc.)

Healthychildren.org is a website that offers multiple articles dedicated to children's health. Here are 2 regarding anxiety and school avoidance that you may find helpful:

Help your child manage anxiety: tips for home & school

School Avoidance: tips for concerned parents

A student is considered Chronically Absent when they miss 10% of the school year. In Massachusetts, this means a student who misses 18 or more days, regardless of an excused or unexcused reason, is classified as chronically absent. Remember that all it takes is for a student to miss two days each month to be designated with this status.

• March 26, 2025 - 3.1% of WPS students are at Chronically Absent levels (18+ abs)
• February 14, 2025 - 2.0% of WPS students are at Chronically Absent levels (18+ abs)
• January 23, 2025 - 1.3% of WPS students are at Chronically Absent levels (18+ abs)
• December 13, 2024 - 0.7% of WPS students are at Chronically Absent levels (18+ abs)
• November 1, 2024 - 0.3% of WPS students are at Chronically Absent levels (18+ abs)

Walpole Public Schools (WPS) have been addressing challenges related to attendance. Chronic Absenteeism has increased dramatically since 2020. Before the pandemic, students were attending school more consistently. Our goal is to decrease our numbers as much as possible.

Recent Chronic Absenteeism Rates in Walpole Public Schools

• 2019 - 7.1% of WPS students were Chronically Absent
• 2022 - 13.1% of WPS students were Chronically Absent
• 2024 - 9.3% of WPS students were Chronically Absent

We know that Walpole is not alone regarding the number of student absences from school. School absenteeism is an issue in Massachusetts and across the country. The district will continue to work with families in an effort to further reduce the number of absences in our schools.

School Attendance

Chapter 76, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws states that all children between the ages of six and sixteen must attend school. It is the parents or guardians to ensure that their children attend school.

Parental Responsibility

Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that a child under their control attends school daily. It is a crime for a responsible parent or guardian not to cause such a child to attend school. If a child fails to attend school for seven day sessions or fourteen half day sessions within any six month period, school administrators may file a criminal complaint in court against the responsible parent/guardian.

Notification and Contact Information

Chapter 76, section 1A of the Massachusetts General Laws states that parents/guardians must be provided each year with the instructions for calling a designated phone number at a designated time to inform the school of the absence of a student and the reason for the absence. Those telephone numbers can be found in the school's Student-Parent Handbook. In addition, parents/guardians must provide the school with a home, work or other emergency telephone number so that they may be contacted during the school day so the school may call and inquire about said absence.

What is a CRA (Child Requiring Assistance) Application?

A “CRA” (Child Requiring Assistance) application may be filed in court by a school district if a school-aged child is “habitually truant". That means a child willfully fails to attend school for more than eight school days in a quarter, or who repeatedly fails to obey the lawful and reasonable regulations of his or her school. The Court’s authority pursuant to a CRA petition includes the power to place the child in the custody of the state agency known as the Department of Children and Families.

What is a 51A?

A 51A is a report of suspected child abuse or neglect that is filed with the Department of Children and Families. Under Chapter 119, section 51A of the Massachusetts General Laws, a report can be filed on behalf of a child under the age of eighteen for educational neglect if a child is not attending school on a regular basis. Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that a child under their control attends school.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the email or telephone number listed below. Or, you can contact your child's school:

Edward Connor

Dean of Student Support and Attendance

Email: econnor@walpole.k12.ma.us

Phone: (508) 660-7257 ext. 5020