The power of a smile is amazing. Greeting children and parents at the door with a smile and a word of welcome at the start of the day, and a similar farewell at dismissal is powerful.  A few supportive words at drop-off or pick-up builds relationships that make parents more open to joint problem solving if attendance issues arise. 

While a welcoming first impression helps all students, it is vital for helping the most vulnerable students feel safe and supported, especially if they are in an unfamiliar school setting.

Consider creating a program mascot to greet the children periodically and remind them in a playful way how important consistent on-time attendance really is. If you don’t have a mascot, consider using Perfectly Punctual’s mascot, a giant clock named Punctual Pete.