In Fraser - and across the state and country - the rates of student absences have increased during the last several years. Missing just two days of school a month adds up to more than 10% of the school year. Those lost learning opportunities can impact students throughout their school careers.

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:  

• reduce stress
• build routines
• make it easier to connect with friends and teachers
• support learning  

During the upcoming year we will share important attendance information with you in our district newsletters, principal updates, and on our social media channels. The information will also be posted on this page.

We want to partner with our families to make our schools a safe, healthy and welcoming environment where all students can succeed.

After review, the attendance data for the first half of the school year continues to improve!

We appreciate our families’ commitment to ensuring students come to school every day. 

So far this year, Fraser has had 75 days of school. More than 94 percent, or 4,604 students, are on Tier 1 for attendance, which means they attended 60 or more days of school. 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, a little more than one percent, or only 58 students, have attended less than 52 days of school. 

Attendance rates take into consideration both excused and unexcused absences. 

As of December 18, 2023, Fraser's attendance percentages were:

Evidence shows chronic absence (missing 30 percent or more of school days for any reason) negatively impacts students beginning in young fives and kindergarten. Students in these grades who are chronically absent are more likely to not read on grade level by third grade. Additionally, chronic absence in sixth grade is a leading indicator a student may drop out of high school. 

Please continue to stress the importance of school attendance at home and make sure your students attend every day to ensure future success.

We look forward to working with families to celebrate our students’ great attendance for the second half of the school year!

As we prepare for the end of the first semester and winter break, we are grateful for everyone who has helped to restore a routine for showing up to school while supporting students and families. 

Daily routines are essential for reducing stress and creating a sense of security for students and adults.

Please take steps to keep your child healthy and send them to school unless they are truly sick. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn and connect to peers and their teachers.

In Fraser, attendance rates continue to increase or hold steady at all our schools. More than 94 percent of students in Fraser were on Tier 1, which means they had missed 19 percent or less of the school days. That is an increase of more than 2 percentage points from the end of September.

We want to thank all our families, students, and staff for their continued support of our attendance initiatives. Thank you to our students and families who do their best to show up daily even when it isn’t easy and our teachers and staff who go above and beyond to make school a welcoming and safe place for all students to learn.

This year, Fraser Public Schools is closely monitoring attendance at every grade level and taking steps to help students come to school and improve overall attendance rates. 

Beginning at the end of September, attendance data for every school was compiled and students were put on tiers based on the percentage of school they were absent. 

Tier 1 is for students who have missed less than 19 percent of the school year. Tier 2 is defined as missing 20-29 percent of the school year and Tier 3 is 30 percent or more. Students on Tier 3 are also defined as being chronically absent (this includes both excused and unexcused absences). 

Between September 25 and October 9, the number of students in Tier 1 increased at every school, which means more students are attending school. The district averaged more than 94.5 percent of students on Tier 1 October 9, which was more than two percentage points better than September 25.

During that same period, the number of students in Young 5s – 12th grade who were in Tier 2 decreased by 65, from 225 students to 160 students. The Tier 3 number also decreased, from 130 to 113. 

District and school staff will continue to monitor the data, and families of students on tiers 2 and 3 will be contacted to discuss ways to improve attendance. Studies show that students who are chronically absent have a higher likelihood of not reading on grade level in elementary school and not finishing high school. 

Absenteeism during the first month of school can predict poor attendance for the remainder of the school year. Half the students who miss just 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school by June.

Fraser Public Schools will soon begin contacting families of students who are showing signs of becoming chronically absent and working with them to improve attendance moving forward.

What is Chronic Absence?

Chronic absence is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year, or about 18 days of school. It includes all absences, both excused and unexcused. 

Starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, regular attendance is essential for students gaining the academic and social skills they need to thrive. Research shows that when students are chronically absent, they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school and graduate from high school.

How will Fraser Address Absenteeism?

Now until the end of the school year, principals and building leaders will review attendance data every two weeks. Students who have been absent 20 percent or more of the school year will receive a phone call home. They may also have to complete an attendance success plan. 

Schools will also begin recognizing students or grade levels with the best attendance and most improved attendance.

Showing up to school every day is critical for students’ wellbeing, engagement and learning.

In Fraser - and across the state and country - the rates of student absences have increased during the last several years.

Missing just two days of school a month adds up to more than 10% of the school year. All absences – even those that are excused – can negatively impact your student.

We want to partner with our families to make our schools a safe, healthy and welcoming environment where all students can succeed. During this school year, we will share important attendance information with you to help all of our students attend today, achieve tomorrow.

Make sure to send your child to school if they are generally healthy and well and able to participate in their usual day-to-day activities. Avoid keeping children at home unless they are too sick to participate.

Children may also avoid school due to anxiety (symptoms may include decreased appetite, feeling tired, stomachache, headache, etc.). If you are worried that your child may be suffering from anxiety, talk with their teacher, school social worker or other school staff to discuss the challenge and identify what can help your child stay in school.

We have put together this helpful chart of when to keep your child home and when they can return to school for common illnesses.