Dear Families,
Leland & Gray student intensives are right around the corner. There will be a Travel Intensives Evening Meeting on Thursday, February 19th, 5:30-6:30 pm. The chaperones will be reaching out through SportsYou app to let folks know of the meeting locations.
As we continue to strengthen academic rigor at Leland & Gray, I want to share important information about student attendance.
So far this year:
- 27% of our students have missed 10 or more days.
- Students who miss 10% of the school year (approximately 18 days) are considered chronically absent.
Research consistently shows that students who are chronically absent are significantly more likely to struggle academically. Even missing 1–2 days per month can impact learning. At the middle and high school level, where skills are built daily and expectations are increasing, absences make it much more difficult for students to stay engaged, complete work on time, and fully understand new material.
We are intentionally raising expectations for learning. With that comes a greater need for consistent attendance. When students are present, they benefit from:
- Direct instruction and guided practice
- Immediate feedback from teachers
- Collaboration with peers
- Access to in-class discussions and problem-solving that cannot be replicated at home
We absolutely understand that illness, family responsibilities, and important events sometimes prevent students from attending school. When students are sick, they should stay home and recover. Our concern is not about isolated absences — it is about patterns of missed time that gradually create learning gaps.
Our goal is partnership. If your family is experiencing attendance challenges, please reach out. We want to work with you to ensure your child is supported and able to meet our increased expectations.
Strong attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of student success. Thank you for helping us ensure that your child is present, prepared, and ready to learn each day.
Sincerely,
Dana Aquadro
