Message from the Principal: Attendance
Note: This was written by our previous principal Mr. Gardner, but it is still good information.
Oro Grande Elementary School is a good school. The state has labeled Oro Grande as a “Highly Performing” school for 2009-2010. This translates into a B grade for those wanting a more user friendly understanding of the concept. As principal I’m charged with the responsibility of monitoring our programs and utilizing our resources as effectively and efficiently as possible. I have made this a priority in my second year at this school. There is one item, however, that I can’t control but that I monitor closely, and that is student attendance. I can share several research findings and articles that support the importance of student attendance. Students with poor attendance score low on performance based tests and have difficulty maintaining high grades. Students with poor attendance fall far behind in the development of the skills needed to be successful in the twenty-first century.
I can only think of a few instances that justify a student missing school. As a parent of several children, I have always stressed the value of education and made sure my own children attended school regularly. I want to encourage parents of students attending Oro Grande to make attendance and school a priority for their children. Please don’t empower your child(ren) by excusing an absence that isn’t justified. Please set an example for your own children by making education a top priority for your family. To those parents that are making attendance an expectation, I thank you and respect you for this.
Oro Grande has the highest absence rate among all six elementary schools in Lake Havasu. This is something I’m going to address, but I can’t do it alone. I need all parents to be responsible for their children, and their attendance, with few exceptions, is a reflection on what is valued at home. If your child has accumulated more than six absences, you can expect a letter and phone call in the near future from me. If your child has accumulated more absences than this, then I intend to visit and get other resources involved if the situation warrants it. If you are struggling as a parent, there are resources available to assist you, and we have many of those resources available at Oro Grande. You just need to ask. I look forward to helping your child(ren) grow academically, physically, and socially, but they need to be here for that to happen.
With respect,
Brad Gardner