Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Strategic Integration
District Civil Rights Compliance Officers
Attendance at
Fall River Public Schools
Every day counts! We care that every student shows up to school, all day every day. Fall River Public Schools is committed to working with families to ensure that every student attends school regularly and achieves their full potential. By prioritizing attendance, we can create a brighter future for all our students.
Why Attendance Matters
• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Directory
How We Can Help
We are here to help you. Let’s be partners in this journey.
We understand that there are many reasons why your student might miss school. Our goal is to set you and your family up for success. If there are ways we can help you, please reach out to the below departments.
- Social Emotional Support- Claudia Costa, SEL/Bullying Prevention Coordinator
- Health and Physical Education- Dan Fitzgerald, Director of Physical Education
- Transportation - Deb Carvalho, Director of Transportation Services
- Attendance Support
Attendance Tips
- Communicate with the school: If your child experiences challenges that affect their attendance, please reach out to the school for support and resources. We are your partner and here to help you however we can.
- Encourage a love of learning: Foster a positive attitude towards school and learning by engaging in educational activities with your child at home. If there are areas where your child’s school or academic experience can improve, we encourage you to speak with your school principal or educator.
- Establish a consistent routine: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and has ample time to prepare for school each morning. If you need help with providing meals for your child or are in need of transportation, please contact your child’s principal.
- Schedule appointments outside of school hours: Whenever possible, schedule doctor's appointments, dental check-ups, and other appointments during non-school hours. Even missing a half day of school for an appointment can be disruptive to your child’s academic experience.