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Attendance » Parents & Families Resources

Parents & Families Resources

Here are some ideas and connections to resources that can help your child get to school regularly.
graphic showing how excused and unexcused absences can add up to chronic absences
Monitor your students current attendance: For students grades 7-12, parents can view student attendance through the ParentVUE app. If you need assistance with logging into the app, please contact the front office of your student's school. For students K-6, please contact your student's school to check attendance. 
 
Physical needs such as clothing or food: The FGHS Food Pantry is open on Mondays from 4:00-5:30 pm. It is located in front of the school next to the Basinski Center. There is also a food pantry at Neil Armstrong Middle School on Fridays from 3:00-5:45 pm. 
 
Behavioral Health and Wellness needs: If your child is suffering from anxiety, they're not alone. In most situations, anxiety is normal and temporary. It becomes a concern if it persists and affects relationships with family, peers and teachers; contributes to academic challenges; and leads to school avoidance/refusal. Addressing anxiety is important for a child’s overall well-being, not just attendance.
 
Here are some tips to help your child get through these challenges and return to school:
    • Don't punish your child for refusing to go to school, as this can make the situation worse.
    • If possible, avoid letting your child stay home. Though staying home from school may provide short-term relief for your child, continued absence from school will lead to a feeling of being disconnected from classmates and teachers, cause your child to fall behind academically and make it harder for them to return.
    • Speak with your child. Try to understand what's specifically bothering them.
    • Make it clear that you're there to help and you believe they can face their fears and overcome the problem.
    • Talk with the school nurse, counselor, social worker and/or psychologist about your student’s challenges, identify possible solutions and develop a plan.
    • In certain situations, a 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP) may be needed to ensure your child receives appropriate support and resources.
 
Please visit the Behavior Health and Wellness webpage for additional information. 
 
Motivation to get to school: Look at every-day-matters.org for tips and tools to get out the door in the morning. Still stumped? Ask friends and family for their ideas, or speak to your child’s teacher.
 
Challenges with academics: If your student is struggling with homework or feeling lost at school, please contact the teacher right away. Keep in mind that staying home will only make things worse. 
 
Housing or homelessness: 
 
Emotional or issues with peers, including bullying: If you suspect your student is being bullied or having other issues with friends, speak with him or her. It’s important to share this concern with your school as well. Learn more at stopbullying.gov.
 
Conflicts with parent work schedules: If your work schedule sometimes interferes with getting your child to school, it’s important to come up with a back-up plan. Make a pact with another parent, ask a trusted neighbor, or speak with your school for more ideas.
 
  • Avoid extended vacations that require your children to miss school. Try to vacation during school breaks only. 
  • Try to schedule preventative health care appointments for days off of school, or afternoons.
  • For younger children, set a regular bedtime and morning routine. They need 9 to 11 hours of sleep. 
  • It helps to lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before. 
  • For older children, help set homework and bedtime routines that allow for 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep. Make sure that when the lights go out, so do the cell phones, video games and computers. Consider keeping technology in another room at night.
  • Get to know the teachers and administrators. With younger children, introduce your child to teachers before school starts and keep in touch with the teachers. For older students, school officials can help you stay on top of academic progress and social contacts to make sure your child is staying on track. 
  • Set clear guidelines. Show that attendance matters to you and that you won’t allow an absence unless someone is truly sick. 
  • Don’t ask older students to help with daycare and household errands that will interfere with school.
  • You can turn to the school for help. Schools can connect you with community resources and help you troubleshoot. 
  • Visit 211info.org to discover community resources.