Every Minute Counts Letter
Jury Elementary
Office of Student Services & Attendance Support
11950 Old Halls Ferry Rd. • Florissant, MO 63033
Phone: 314-953-4400
Official Attendance Notice • Every Minute Matters Jury Elementary School Community
Partnering for Student Growth: Why Every Instructional Minute Counts
Dear Jury Elementary Families, we deeply appreciate your ongoing partnership in supporting your child’s learning. While emergency pick-ups and medical appointments are sometimes unavoidable, our campus has experienced an increase in early student dismissals. We want to transparently share the tangible impact these lost minutes have on student academic achievement and school progress.
The Math of Early Pickups: Cumulative Instructional Loss
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education & Attendance Works
Leaving 15 Min Early
45 Hours
~7.5 full school days lost/year
Leaving 30 Min Early
90 Hours
~15 full school days lost/year
Chronic Loss Threshold
10% Missed
Triggers state chronic absent tag
National Research Insight: According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Attendance Works, students missing 10% of instructional minutes—even incrementally through recurring early pickups—show measurable drops in 3rd-grade reading proficiency and math achievement compared to peers with consistent full-day attendance.
Understanding Proportional Attendance
State attendance records calculate time down to enrolled instructional minutes. When students depart early, unexcused minutes accumulate toward chronic absenteeism metrics, regardless of whether a full morning was attended.
The Power of the Final 30 Minutes
The end of the day includes guided practice, small-group interventions, homework clarification, and social-emotional debriefs. Students leaving early miss key closure routines that anchor the day's lessons.
90/90
Our Building Goal: The 90/90 Attendance Standard
Our goal is for 90% of our students to be in attendance at least 90% of the time. Early dismissals subtract directly from this standard.
90% of Students
90% of the Time
How Families Can Partner With Us to Reach 90/90
- Schedule routine appointments outside of school hours or on staff professional development days whenever possible.
- Provide advance written notice to the front office if an early dismissal is strictly necessary.
- Submit official verification notes (medical/dental/court) within 48 hours to ensure time is appropriately coded.
- Reach out if your family faces transportation or scheduling obstacles—our student support team is here to assist.
Thank you for partnering with us to maintain instructional continuity and ensure your child benefits from every minute of their education. Together, we can reach our 90/90 attendance goal!
Jury Elementary Administration & Student Support Team
Attendance Office Support
Phone: 314-953-4400
Office Hours: 8:30 – 4:00
On Time Arrival Letter
Jury Elementary
Office of Student Services & Attendance Support
11950 Old Halls Ferry Rd. • Florissant, MO 63033
Phone: 314-953-4400
Official Attendance Notice • Every Morning Matters Jury Elementary School Community
Starting Strong: Why Morning Punctuality Matters for Every Learner
Dear Jury Elementary Families, we are grateful for your dedication to your child’s educational journey. While morning traffic hiccups and unexpected household delays happen, our campus has seen a growing pattern of late arrivals and morning tardies. We want to share how arriving even slightly after the bell significantly affects your child’s instructional day, emotional readiness, and academic growth.
The Math of Morning Tardies: Cumulative Instructional Loss
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education & Attendance Works
Arriving 15 Min Late
45 Hours
~7.5 full school days lost/year
Arriving 30 Min Late
90 Hours
~15 full school days lost/year
Chronic Loss Threshold
10% Missed
Triggers state chronic absent tag
National Research Insight: Reports by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Attendance Works reveal that chronic tardiness in elementary years directly correlates with lower 3rd- and 4th-grade reading scores. Entering class mid-instruction disrupts morning cognitive focus and causes students heightened social anxiety as they struggle to catch up.
Understanding Proportional Attendance
State attendance accounting measures enrolled instructional minutes. Late arrivals are officially recorded by the minute. Unexcused tardy minutes continuously subtract from your child’s proportional attendance percentage, counting toward state chronic absenteeism thresholds.
The Power of the First 30 Minutes
The opening 30 minutes include morning routines, community circles, school announcements, and core phonics/reading mini-lessons. Students arriving late miss critical direct instruction and the structured calm that sets a confident tone for the day.
90/90
Our Building Goal: The 90/90 Attendance Standard
Our goal is for 90% of our students to be in attendance at least 90% of the time. Morning tardiness subtracts directly from this standard.
90% of Students
90% of the Time
How Families Can Partner With Us to Reach 90/90
- Establish an evening launchpad by picking out clothing, packing backpacks, and charging devices the night before.
- that ensure children receive 9 to 11 hours of restorative sleep each night.
