Dear Northwest Families,
At Northwest, we truly love having students at school each day. Being present helps children learn, feel connected, and build strong routines that support both academic success and emotional well-being.
School runs for 10 months and 180 days, and each day matters more than it might seem:
Please take a moment to review the attached “Attendance Matters” flyer, which highlights how even a few missed days can add up over the school year.
Students receive at least 90 minutes of English Language Arts each day
Students receive 60 minutes of math each day
That means:
- One missed day = 150 minutes of core instruction
- Two missed days per month = 300 minutes (5 hours) of learning lost monthly
- 18 missed days in a year = 45 hours of ELA and 30 hours of math missed
(That’s more than a full month of reading instruction.)
Because reading and math skills build sequentially, even a few missed days can create learning gaps that are difficult for students to quickly catch up from. Over time, missed instruction can also impact confidence, participation, and a student’s sense of belonging at school.
We understand that students should stay home when they have a fever, a contagious illness, or a family emergency, and we appreciate families making those thoughtful decisions. At the same time, mild cold symptoms, tiredness, or worry are often manageable at school, and our caring staff is always ready to support students through their day.
Thank you for partnering with us to make attendance a priority. When students are here consistently, they are more confident, more connected, and better prepared to soar.
We don’t just fly — we SOAR.
Warmly,
Craig Munro
Principal, Northwest Elementary School