Letter from the director of education to TLDSB families: Attendance Matters – October 2024

Dear TLDSB parents/guardians,

A regular attendance routine is important for your child(ren)’s well-being, learning, and long-term success. We know and understand that there are times when it is necessary for your child to miss school, and we hope that they will return as soon as they are able to.

Illness and school attendance

As we approach the winter months and try to prevent the spread of illnesses in school, we encourage you to monitor your child(ren)’s health and keep them home if they have a fever, vomited in the last 24 hours, or have diarrhea. If your child(ren) has a runny nose, small cough, and/or mild stomach ache, they can attend school.

We know that when students miss school, their academic performance is directly impacted. When not at school, students can miss out on the classroom teachings, leading them to fall behind on what is being taught and/or lose credits, which could impact their ability to graduate.

Benefits of good attendance

Regularly attending school is important because it helps students to:

  • Improve social connections, which benefits mental health – interacting with peers, working as a team, and navigating diverse social environments allow students to learn essential interpersonal skills. Social interactions are an important part of life.
  • Learn how to problem solve at school, which is an essential skill that will be invaluable throughout their life.
  • Be exposed to moderately stressful experiences, which helps students to overcome feelings of anxiety and build their resilience to manage difficult situations moving forward.
  • Ensure secondary school credits are obtained for graduation.

Welcoming spaces

We also know that students who feel safe and connected to school are more likely to attend every day and this starts with a welcoming environment.

Here are some things that TLDSB schools are doing to create welcoming spaces:

  • Providing day-to-day activities for students to engage with one another.
  • Offering increased support for students who may be dealing with anxiety and/or behavioural issues.
  • Ensuring students have regular breaks for nutrition and exercise.
  • Providing access to snacks and drinking water during the day.
  • Making connections with other students and caring adults.

Supports in school

In elementary and secondary school, your child’s teacher is monitoring attendance each day and period, and calls home will be made to ensure parents/guardians are aware of any absences. Your child’s teacher is the person you should reach out to should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s attendance and/or academic progress. Together, parents/guardians and teachers can work to create the best possible environment for students to be successful.

If you need help with supporting your child(ren)’s attendance, please contact your child’s teacher or the school principal.

Survey reminder

Parents/guardians, please give us your feedback on how the beginning of school has been by filling out this short, anonymous survey, which closes tomorrow (Friday, October 25).

Sincerely,

Wes Hahn
Director of Education
Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Attendance Matters - Website

Past attendance letters

Sept 2024 website - attendance matters

Find it Fast

Registration

School registration

Locations

Choose your location

PSW

Information

Night

School

Summer

School

Bracebridge AAEC

100 Clearbrook Trail, Bracebridge, ON P1L 0A3
Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School
705-645-2646

Fenelon Falls AAEC

66 Lindsay Street, PO Box 460, Fenelon Falls, ON K0M 1N0
Fenelon Falls Secondary School
705-887-3083

Gravenhurst AAEC

325 Mary Street South, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1X7
Gravenhurst High School
705-687-5422

Haliburton AAEC

1018 Grass Lake Road, PO Box 1199, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
705-457-3745

Huntsville AAEC

58 Brunel Road, Huntsville, ON P1H 2A2
Huntsville High School
705-789-4764

Lindsay AAEC

230 Angeline Street South, Lindsay, ON K9V 0J8
705-324-5280

School Websites