Attendance Matters
Why does attendance matter?
Students with good attendance are far more likely to be successful in school.
High attendance rates are linked to high student achievement, and this is true for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Missing school causes children to fall behind academically.
How does Peterson support attendance for all students?
• Each week, any homeroom with 98% attendance or greater receives recognition over the loudspeaker and an attendance trophy.
• Homerooms with 97% attendance or greater receive recognition over the loudspeaker.
• Students with high attendance for the quarter receive recognition at the quarterly award ceremony.
When should I keep my child home from school?
Three Important Questions to Ask:
1. Does the child’s illness keep him or her from comfortably taking part in activities?
2. Does the sick child need more care than the staff can give without affecting the health and safety of other children?
3. Could the other children get sick from being near your child?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the child should NOT go to school. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the following conditions or symptoms DO NOT REQUIRE EXCLUSION from school: common colds; a cough not associated with an infectious disease; a fever (temperature above 101 F taken orally) without any signs or symptoms of illness; or a rash without fever and behavioral changes.
What do I do if my child is absent?
• If your child is sick, please call the school at 773-534-5070 Ext. 18428 before 8:30am if you know your child will be absent. You may leave a message if no one answers.
• Please include your child’s first and last name, room number or teacher’s name, and reason for absence. Otherwise, we will need to call you regarding the absence.
• You will also receive an automated call from CPS regarding the absence.
• You must send the “Reason for Absence Note” to your child’s teacher regarding any absence or early dismissal upon their return to class.
• The “Reason for Absence Note” is attached and will be available at Peterson.cps.edu on the “Attendance” page.
Early Dismissals
We kindly ask that families refrain from requesting an early dismissal for their child after 3:15pm.
Why is the early dismissal policy in place?
Physical Security & Entry Control
Minimizing Classroom Disruptions
Protection of Instructional Time
SEL block at the end of the day for Middle School
Resource Allocation
Allows all additional staff to focus on successful dismissal procedures
Ensure we can allocate all resources to safe dismissal while consistently monitoring for ICE presence
Executive Functioning
Frequent early dismissals rob students of the opportunity to practice end-of-day organizational routines
