We often have a romantic notion of how we learn. We imagine learning is a light bulb suddenly switching on and that we understand things in a single moment. But that isn’t how learning really works. We learn step by step, piece by piece, day by day. We have only 180 days with our students each year, and each one is an opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. Every day adds to our students' learning, and Every Day Matters. 

The school year may seem like a long time, but those days disappear quickly when life gets in the way with illness, appointments, and other plans. In our district, almost one in five students misses more than 10% of the school year. Research shows that students who miss more than 10% of the school year are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, succeed in middle school, and graduate from high school. A missed day is more than just a missed assignment; it is also missed discussions, routines, and experiences. 

Our district has identified student attendance as one of our three priorities for the year. We know that students have to be in school to learn. We are working to improve instruction in our system, but students must be present to experience it. September is Attendance Awareness Month, making this a good time to focus on this priority.

Because a single day seems like a small thing in the scope of 180 days, we often underestimate how quickly absences add up. If a student misses 18 days, that is 10% of the year and increases the risk of difficulties in school. Spread across the year, that is less than two days per month. Most families are surprised by how quickly a few missed days can add up.

We know that setting strong attendance habits early in the year can make a huge difference. Here are some of the things you will see from us this year to support your child’s attendance.

• We will notice early. Schools will regularly review attendance instead of waiting until absences become a significant problem.

• We will reach out. Families should expect schools to communicate when attendance patterns begin to develop.

• We will work with families. The purpose of outreach is to understand what is getting in the way and to help remove barriers, not simply to send letters or to count absences.

We are asking our families to partner with us to establish good attendance habits right from the start. Here are some ways that you can help:

• Make daily attendance a priority.

• Schedule appointments and vacations outside school whenever possible.

• Contact the school early if your child is having difficulty attending.

One of the most common avoidable reasons students miss school is family travel scheduled on school days. We have included a vacation planning guide outlining opportunities for families to plan vacations on non-school days. 

We all know there will be unavoidable absences. Our goal is not perfect attendance; it is to make every possible school day count. We are committed to noticing attendance concerns earlier, reaching out sooner, and working alongside families when challenges arise. Together, we can help our students make the most of the 180 days we have with them. Every Day Matters.

In partnership, 

Dr. Jason Sutter, Superintendent

Sonoma Valley Unified School District