Dear Brunson Families,
We hope this new school year is off to a great start for you and your child. At Milton R. Brunson Elementary, our goal is to build our students’ capacity for achievement in education and in life. We believe a strong partnership between home and school is the best way to help every child reach their full potential.
One of the most important habits a student can learn is the value of being at school, on time, every single day. This simple routine is the foundation for a successful academic journey and a crucial life skill that will serve them well in high school, college, and beyond.
Our school day officially begins at 7:45 a.m. when students arrive for breakfast and morning announcements in their classrooms. These first minutes of the day are an essential time for teachers to set the tone, share important news, and get everyone ready to learn.
Why Every Day Counts
Regular and punctual attendance is vital for your child’s academic and personal growth. When students are in class, they are better prepared to:
- Master key concepts in math, science, and technology.
- Participate in classroom discussions and hands-on activities.
- Build strong friendships with their peers and feel connected to the school community.
We know that sometimes things happen, but we want you to know that it's never too late to make a fresh start. Your child's progress can improve at any time. Every day they are at school is a chance to learn something new and build a brighter future.
Our Attendance Policies
To help us protect every minute of valuable learning time, here is a quick guide to our school schedule and procedures:
- Arrival and Tardy Policy:
- The instructional day begins at 7:45 a.m.
- Any student arriving after 8:00 a.m. is considered tardy.
- For students arriving late, please sign in at the front security desk. They will be directed to the lunchroom for breakfast to take to their classroom to minimize instructional disruption.
- Tardy Support Plan:
- 2nd Tardy in one week: The school will make a verbal warning and a phone call home.
- 4th Tardy in one week: A letter outlining the attendance policy will be sent home, followed by a phone call to review the situation.
- 5th Tardy in one week: We will schedule a meeting with a school administrator to create a personalized plan to help your child get to school on time.
- Early Dismissal Policy:
- We understand emergencies happen. However, to minimize interruptions, we ask that you avoid picking up your child before 2:00 p.m.
- Students picked up before 2:00 p.m. in the exception of student illness and family emergencies, will be marked with a half-day absence.
Understanding Absences and How We Can Help
It's important to understand the two main types of absences we track. An unexcused absence is when a student misses a full or half-day of school without a valid reason.
Under Illinois state law, a student is considered chronically truant if they have 9 or more unexcused absences in a school year.
We also track chronic absenteeism, which is when a student misses 10% or more of the school year for any reason—whether the absences are excused or unexcused. For our 176 day school year, this is 17 missed days.
Both chronic truancy and chronic absenteeism can create learning gaps. We want to work with you to prevent this from happening by addressing any challenges that may be impacting your child's attendance. If your child is struggling with absences, we will reach out to partner with you to create a plan for getting them back on track.
How We Can Partner
We are all on the same team, working towards your child’s success. Here’s how you can help:
- Set a Routine: A consistent bedtime and morning schedule can make a world of difference.
- Communicate with Us: Please let us know if you are facing challenges that are making it difficult for your child to attend school. We are here to help you find solutions.
- Celebrate the Effort: Acknowledge and praise your child’s progress. Your encouragement is the most powerful motivation they can receive.
Your support is invaluable, and together, we can make this a year of strong attendance and incredible growth for your child. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this, please call the school office at (773) 534-6025.
Warmly,
Dr. Carol D. Wilson
Principal, Milton R. Brunson School