A Message to Parents and Guardians About School Attendance

Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope you and your child are looking forward to new learning opportunities, connecting with new friends and old, and meeting schoolteachers.

As your child begins a new school year, we encourage you to make your child's education a priority by ensuring they attend school every day.

Why Attendance Matters

Education is one of the greatest opportunities we can provide for our children. Every school day offers more than academic instruction. Students learn:

• Responsibility

• Problem-solving

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Skills they need to become successful adults

Consistent attendance also helps children build positive relationships with teachers and classmates while developing confidence and healthy routines.

The Importance of Regular Attendance

The numbers tell an important story. In Ohio, more than one in four students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of the school year, which is approximately 18 days, or just two days each month.

Chronic absenteeism can make it more difficult for students to:

• Keep up with lessons

• Complete assignments

• Stay connected with peers

Every day your child is present at school is an investment in their success.

Research Shows That Attendance Matters

Students with good attendance are:

• Three times more likely to become proficient readers.

• Nearly four times more likely to become proficient in mathematics.

• Almost twelve times more likely to graduate from high school on time than students who are chronically absent.

Supporting Families

Ohio law requires children of compulsory school age to attend school regularly. While the court has a responsibility to enforce these laws when necessary, the goal is to support families and not to punish them.

We recognize that many families face challenges that can make regular attendance difficult, including:

• Illness

• Transportation

• Housing instability

• Mental health

• Other circumstances

If your family is experiencing obstacles, we encourage you to reach out to your child's school. School staff, community agencies, and the court work together to connect families with resources and services that can help.

How Parents and Guardians Can Help

Parents and guardians have one of the greatest influences on their child's success. Families can support regular attendance by:

• Establishing a consistent bedtime and morning routine.

• Scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.

• Communicating with teachers.

• Making school attendance a daily expectation.

These actions send a powerful message that education matters.

Thank You

Thank you for your partnership in helping your child achieve their full potential.

Sincerely,

Katrine M. Lancaster

Judge

Clark County Common Pleas Court

Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Section

Contact Information:

101 E. Columbia Street

Springfield, OH 45502-1194

Phone: (937) 521-1600

Fax: (937) 521-3200