Dear Mastbaum Families,
This year, Mastbaum is working hard to ensure every student can learn and grow by being at school regularly. Being at school is important for learning, building friendships and participating in the school community. We want to support your student’s success through attendance and engagement in school.
Why Attending Matters:
- Missing just 2 days a month (or 10% of school) can impact your student’s chances of graduating on time.
- School is essential for students to build friendships and learn how to be in a community with their peers and adults.
- Absences can signal problems like disengagement, academic struggles, or bullying, and therefore are important for us to pay attention to.
What We Need From You:
- Follow health guidelines so that you know when to keep your student home due to illness and when to send them to school.
- If your student will be absent, contact the school secretary at 215.400.7220.
- Reach out of us if your student is struggling to come to school or if you are having challenges getting your child to school. We are here to help.
- Follow our school policies or expectations.
What You Can Do:
- Set a consistent bedtime and morning routine.
- Prepare for school the night before, ensuring homework is done and your student gets enough rest.
- Talk to your student about the importance of school and attendance.
- Keep track of the number of days your child has missed on a calendar in a visible location in the home.
- Ask your student to assist with tracking the days.
- Days can add up quickly. Airm to keep to 17 days or less in a year.
- Schedule appointments before or after school, or at the very beginning or end of the school day to minimize the amount of time your student will be out of school.
- Schedule vacations during district scheduled holidays or during summer break.
- Have backup plans for transportation.
- Communicate with your child’s teacher, the front office or the school counselor about any concerns. Communication is key!
- Encourage after school activities.
Our Promise to You:
- We understand challenges that affect attendance and are here to help.
- Use our resources, like the nurse or school counselors for support.
- We will take attendance daily (as required by state law), communicate when your student has an unexcused absence, and help overcome barriers to attending regularly.
What Families Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s Compulsory Attendance Laws:
- Pennsylvania requires parents and school districts to follow these steps when students are absent:
You can access additional attendance information by visiting the School District of Philadelphia’s website: https://www.philasd.org/studentrights/attendance/.
We are asking that you complete the google form located HERE indicating you read and understand the School District of Philadelphia’s attendance policies and procedures.
Sincerely,
Mr. David Lon, Principal
#Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow.
