Attendance Matters! You Matter!  Every winter, bad weather — snow, slush, freezing temperatures or even heavy rains — can present challenges to getting children to school. So do the illnesses such as colds, flu, fevers and earaches that often come with the winter months. Continue reading for tips on what families can do to promote good attendance all winter long.

Every winter, bad weather — snow, slush, freezing temperatures or even heavy rains — can present challenges to getting children to school. So do the illnesses such as colds, flu, fevers and earaches that often come with the winter months. Students might also have to stay home due to Covid-19.

Develop back up plans for getting your children to school in bad weather

• Check to see who can give your children a ride to school if you aren’t able to take them or the bus doesn’t arrive.
• Talk with your school about forming a “walking school bus” with other families to get students to school safely.
• Contact your local government if roads to school are not regularly plowed.
• Join other families to clear snow from the sidewalks closest to the school.
• Tell school administrators about transportation challenges, including safety, and ask if they have plans for transporting students.

Keep your children healthy

• Maintain a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Ensure students eat a good breakfast every morning or check to see if your school serves breakfast.
• Ensure your children visit their medical provider and have received their vaccines, including flu and Covid.
• Stress hand washing, particularly before and after eating, and after using the restroom.
• Reinforce the importance of avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick, and not sharing cups and/or utensils with others.
• If your children seem anxious about going to school, ask teachers, school counselors, your medical provider and parents for advice on how to make your children feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• If you are concerned your children may have Covid, call your medical provider or school nurse for advice.

Keep your children engaged in learning if they cannot
attend school in person

• Ask your teacher or school for resources that you can use at home to keep your children learning, including computer tablets, internet access and online learning platforms.
• Identify who can support your children’s learning at home, especially if you must go to work.
• Encourage your children to call classmates and stay connected to the teacher to find out about what they missed.