08/30/2026
Dear Highlands Families,
As we continue our school year, we remain committed to our theme: “Making Great Things Happen!” Great things happen when our students are in school, on time, engaged, and ready to learn.
Check out this week's community newsletter with important upcoming dates. https://canva.link/1f6qizd0q2k1m6p
This week, we are placing a special focus on one of the most important factors in student success:
ATTENDANCE. Great Things Happen When Students Are Here!
On Friday, our campus attendance rate was 77.66%. That means more than 1 out of every 5 Highlands students was not in school.
We can—and must—do better for our students. Every day a student is absent is a day of instruction that cannot be fully replaced. Students miss direct instruction, classroom discussions, assignments, interventions, and opportunities to work directly with their teachers. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track academically and develop the habits necessary for success beyond high school.
Attendance Also Impacts Our Resources: Attendance does not only affect academics—it also impacts the resources available to support our students.
Texas public schools receive a significant portion of their funding based on student attendance. When students are not in school, our campus and district can lose funding that helps provide staffing, instructional materials, technology, programs, and other resources our students need.
Simply put: When our students show up, we have a greater opportunity to make great things happen for them.
We Need Our Parents' Partnership:
Making great things happen requires all of us—students, staff, and families—working together. We ask our parents and guardians to help by:
Making daily attendance a priority.
Ensuring your child arrives on time and ready to learn.
Scheduling appointments outside of instructional hours whenever possible.
Monitoring your child’s attendance and grades regularly.
Talking with your child about the importance of attending every class, every day.
Holding your child accountable for getting to school and class on time.
Last week, we focused on tardies and maximizing every minute of our 45-minute class periods. This week, we are building on that message: Before we can make every minute count, we have to make every day count.
