What can we do to support our children and create peace in these times?

Even while we ourselves are stressed, the more we can encourage our children to be present with each other in school, the more resilient they will be.

Attending school gives our children connections that can help them deal with trauma that they may be facing. The more connected they feel, the more engaged they will be. School attendance will not only help their social and emotional needs but also their academic progress.

There is a national crisis in school attendance and it has been especially serious here in Hawai‘i. Honolulu Civil Beat recently reported on the Department’s Strive HI results for the 2022-23 school year showing that while overall attendance rates improved last year, the rates remain high compared with those before the pandemic.

The article also notes that for traditionally disadvantaged groups like homeless and low-income students as well as Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, 40-55% of students were chronically absent.

HIDOE Deputy Superintendent Heidi Armstrong told Civil Beat that improvements in attendance have been achieved in the past two years using COVID-relief funds to support such initiatives as additional counselors and bilingual home assistants. As federal funds run out, it is even more important for us as families to find ways to promote attendance.

Check on their attendance.

If a student misses class or the day, you’ll get a recorded phone call from the school. Many schools give parents access to Infinite Campus, an online student information system where you can check class attendance and grades. If more is needed to help our children to school, email or call teachers or ask to visit a class.

Letting absences slide might seem like a kind approach. Some keiki may resist our encouragement to attend, to be present. But steady expectations of and support for our keiki to go to all classes is giving them the kindness they need. Being present will help to lessen anxiety and to increase happiness and success.

Visit our website for more information and for links to family tip worksheets to address attendance.

Parents for Public Schools Hawai‘i is a nonprofit organization contributing to keiki and public school success through family and community engagement.
Visit www.ppshi.org.