Orleans Elementary School

Dear OCSU Families,

 I hope your school year is off to a great start! It’s been great to see students back in the buildings and settling into the daily routines! For the rest of this month, I will be sending out one note each week as part of my Strong Start September communications. This week, I want to talk about one of our OCSU goals for the year, which is to increase our student attendance rates. We know that every day a student is in school is another opportunity to learn, to build on previous learning, participate in what’s happening in the classroom, connect with friends and trusted adults, and get support when it’s needed. Simply put, we want our students in school as much as possible because we want them to get everything they can from their time with us.

Of course, we also know that missed days can add up quickly. Missing just two days a month can mean missing about 10% of the school year. Vermont has a new attendance law that places a greater focus on chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing 10% or more of school days, whether excused or unexcused. We absolutely have a responsibility to follow the law, but our goal is bigger than compliance. We want to notice concerns earlier, reach out sooner, and work together with families before a few missed days become a bigger concern.

To help us with this, I want to let you know that Danielle Greenwood will be working this year as OCSU’s School-to-Home Coordinator. Danielle will work with students, families, schools, and community partners if attendance becomes a concern. She can help us understand what may be getting in the way, connect families with resources, and bring the right people together to help. We know that sometimes getting to school can be difficult, for all kinds of reasons, and families don’t need to have the problem figured out before reaching out to us. That’s where we can work together.

As we get this school year underway, I’m asking for your partnership. When your child is healthy and able to be at school, we hope you will continue to partner with us and support regular attendance.

Please keep an eye on how many days have been missed and, whenever possible, schedule appointments, trips, and other activities outside of school time. Most importantly, if getting to school is becoming difficult for any reason, please talk with us. The earlier we know, the earlier we can work together to help.

If you’d like to learn more, Attendance Works has helpful information for families about attendance and chronic absence, including their quick 10 Facts About School Attendance resource, which shows how quickly missed days can add up and why regular attendance matters.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about Vermont’s new attendance law or the work we are doing here in OCSU, and thank you in advance for your continued partnership as we move through our school year!

Look for another note from me next week as we continue our Strong Start September! Warmly,

Jackie Ramsay-Tolman Your OCSU Superintendent

We can't wait to welcome all students back on Wednesday!