What To Do If Your Child Refuses To Go To School
It is well known that the adolescent years are particularly stressful years for students, and making the move from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school can bring about behaviors that were not present before. Despite this transition, you can help your child by immediately taking one or more of the following actions:

• Check report cards for absences, low conduct marks and grades; 
• Call the school if you think your child has been skipping school or has been truant; 
• If the school calls you, DO NOT COVER UP to get your student off the hook. You are only teaching them that there are no consequences for breaking rules. 

Remember that children need parents who care enough to enforce rules and are available to provide help when it's needed.

What Else Can I Do?
Value education and give it high priority in your family! Convey a positive attitude about school and treat going to school as part of the normal course of events, something that is expected of your child. Let your child know that school is the most important thing in their life at this time, and that their future job opportunities will depend on how well they handle their present "job" (school). Help your child develop good study and work habits. Get to know your child's friends as they have more influence on your child at this time in their life than you do. Get personally involved in school activities, go to sporting events, attend plays and concerts, join the PTA, and volunteer. Know what's going on at school.

Questions You Should Ask
If you are concerned about the attendance at your school, here are some questions you might ask your principal and your school's parent teacher association (PTA):

• Does the school provide a welcoming atmosphere for students and parents? 
• Do students feel safe at school? 
• What actions does the school take to follow up on students who are absent? 
• Do teachers call parents when students are frequently absent? 
• Does the school know why students are absent? The school cannot address the problem if administrators don't understand the causes. 
• Has the school taken steps to forge a positive relationship with local law enforcement, business and community members to work together to encourage students to come to school? 
• Does the school reward students for good attendance? 
• What can parents do to help the school encourage all students to attend? 

Please remember: EVERY DAY COUNTS!