Letter to the Community - September 5, 2024

Dear Tolleson ESD Families & Community,

September is attendance awareness month because student attendance is very important to student success. I want to share some information with you as it is critical to ensuring we achieve our goal – All Children are Capable of Success–NO EXCEPTIONS!

We can work together to ensure our students have strong attendance. Research shows that school absences take a toll on grades and performance on standardized tests. Beyond test scores, irregular attendance can be a predictor of high school drop-out, which has been linked to poor labor market prospects, diminished health, and increased involvement in the criminal justice system. Students who are chronically absent, missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions—can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school and beyond. For our district, chronic absenteeism is 18 absences during the school year. 

We have developed a dedicated page on our website, and we will share information all year long regarding student attendance and how we can work together to ensure our students are attending school and achieving success.

Please visit the Attendance Matters page for more information and tips to ensure your children are attending school.

If you have questions regarding your child’s attendance, please reach out to your child’s teacher or your school counselor. We are here to support you!

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your ongoing support!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lupita Hightower
Treasure Hunter & Superintendent
Tolleson Elementary School District