​​​​​REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES and LATES

Option 1: ATTENDANCE EMAIL (preferred)

Student absences or lates can be reported by email at: carson_attendance@sd44.ca  

Emails must come from a parent or guardian email listed in our student information system, MyEd.  If your email changes, please contact the Carson Graham office.  Students cannot email in their own absence; only messages from parent and legal guardian email accounts are accepted.   

For all absences, please include the following information:

Subject of Email:  Absence – Student Name

Include in the body of the email:

·      First and last name of student

·      Grade

·      Date of absence & whether it is for the full day or what portion of the day

·      Reason for absence (e.g.: ill, appointment, vacation)

·      If late, state approximate time of arrival.

·      If leaving early state time of departure.

We will still be accepting voice messages for absences but would prefer parents send an email instead.

​​Option 2:

ATTENDANCE REPORTING LINE 604-903-3555 prompt 2 (available 24 hours a day)

• Email - If your child will be absent or late please advise the school using the email carson_attendance@sd44.ca. 
• Check-In and Check-Out Through the Office - If students need to leave before the end of the day for appointments, they must sign out in the office. As well, parents must notify the office by sending a note or by emailing before school starts.
• Daily Attendance - There is a strong and direct correlation between students' daily attendance patterns and their academic success. There is an expectation that all students are on time for school and prepared to learn in their classes prior to the bell. Poor attendance and late arrival times can become a habit and lead to significantly lower levels of student achievement.

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AUTOMATED PHONE MESSAGE SYSTEM

Parents/guardians will receive an automated phone call and/or e-mail notifying them that a student from their household had an unexcused absence from class that day.

What to do if you receive a phone call and/or e-mail: The automated phone call and/or e-mail system refers to "PERIODS OF THE DAY" (1 thru 4).  Look at your student's timetable to determine which missed class the call is for. If your student says they were in class, they must speak with the teacher who marked them away. Only that teacher can verify and change the attendance.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

1.  Why is attendance important? Does it really matter if my child misses a few days of school?

Yes, attendance does matter, even if it is only a few days. Research has shown that students who attend less that 90% of the time (this is the equivalent to ½ day per week) have greater academic struggles, disengage from school, and are at risk for not graduating. It also removes them from their social circles and can make it challenging for them to reintegrate back with friends, particularly if they have missed important social bonding situations.

2.  What if my child is sick?

Illness is an inevitable consequence of being in close contact with other children on a daily basis. If your child is ill, please keep them at home until their symptoms resolve. However, you should have a plan to help them catch up on the work they have missed.  Upon their return encourage your child to see the teacher directly during tutorial time for support on concepts they are unclear on and may have missed due to illness.  Students can also reach out to their teachers through Teams.

However, if your child is chronically ill and missing many days, this is the time to seek medical support. Any medical or mental health issue can make it difficult for a child to feel well enough to attend school. If they miss several consecutive days, particularly at the high school level, it becomes even more challenging to make up the missed work. As soon as you see a pattern of non-attendance with your child, particularly if they don't "seem sick" please follow up immediately with the school counsellor and a health care professional.

3.  My child is a good student. Is it okay to take them out of school for an extended period of time for a family vacation?

This is a question that is often asked of Principals. If you refer to the answer in question 1, then removing your child from school for a family vacation is not in the best interest of their academic or social needs, even if they are successful learners. Students very quickly get behind, fall out of the pattern of attending and can feel stressed and anxious about getting caught up again. If you must remove your child from school for extended lengths of time, please contact the administration and your child's teacher(s), to see if there are projects and assignments that can be worked on while you are a way. Have your child book an appointment to meet with their teacher(s) their first day back to see what work they have missed and determine a plan to catch up. Please note, that teachers will not be able to provide all missed work in advance or one on one lessons for students who have missed classes.​

4.  My student loves school and has always attended well. Suddenly they do not want to go. What do I do?

A sudden change in behaviour like this indicates that something else may be going on for your child. They may have had a conflict with a teacher or a peer and they do not know how to handle it. They may not understand an important concept and are afraid to ask for help. Talk to your child to try to determine what is causing this change. Contact their teacher(s) and/or school counsellor immediately to determine what has happened and what solutions and strategies can be put in place to re-engage them in school.

5.  What may poor attendance indicate about a child?

Poor attendance indicates a lack of engagement with both the academic and social aspects of school. It may be a symptom of a more complicated issue or problem:

• Relational/attachment issues
• Undiagnosed learning disability
• Undiagnosed mental health condition (anxiety, depression, ADHD)
• Behaviour issues
• Addiction issues: drugs or alcohol, gaming, internet or social media
• Bullying
• Low self-esteem
• Sleep issues

6.  What can I do as a parent to ensure good attendance for my child?

• First and foremost, make sure that your student clearly understands the importance of attending school regularly.
• Set the expectation that in your family, children attend school: it is their job!
• Monitor their medical and mental well-being: put supports in place to keep them healthy and attending.
• Make sure they are eating a healthy diet and sleep routine.
• If you think they are struggling academically, contact your child's teacher(s) immediately, and encourage your child to attend tutorials.
• Book family vacations during regularly scheduled school breaks.
• Be proactive. You know your child best. If you detect any unusual behavior or changes in their behaviour pattern, contact the school immediately.

7.  What can I expect from the school if my child's attendance is poor?

• A letter or email indicating an attendance concern
• A request for a meeting with you and your child to determine any underlying issues
• Regular attendance monitoring and the creation of an "attendance support plan"

The attendance support plan may include:​

• Regular attendance meetings with a school staff member
• School based counselling support
• An adjusted student timetable to facilitate consistent attendance
• The development of an IEP (Individual Education Plan) if attendance issues require academic and behaviourial supports
• Referral to the Choices program at the secondary level
• Referral to a Youth Outreach Worker or other community supports as necessary

8.  What other supports can parents access to help with the underlying issues that may be making attendance problematic for their child?

There are many community agencies on the North Shore that can support youth and their families with mental health issues, relational issues and addiction issues. Here is a sampling of some of these service providers. Your school counsellor can also recommend additional supports.

Foundry North Shore: https://foundrybc.ca/northshore/​ 

Family Services of the North Shore: http://www.familyservices.bc.ca

Capilano Community Services: http://capservices.ca/youth-services/

Parkgate Community Services: http://www.myparkgate.com/youth/overview/

Hollyburn Family Services: http://hollyburn.ca/?page_id=43

North Shore Neighbourhood House: http://www.nsnh.bc.ca/youth.php

Vancouver Coastal Health:

https://www.vch.ca/your_health/school_health/north-shore---school-health-manual/

Ministry of Child and Family Development: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/sda/contacts.htm#cns​