Every Day Counts - We need you here!
Every Day Counts is a district-wide attendance initiative designed to strengthen student engagement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and ensure every student can succeed. Centered on the belief that showing up matters, this campaign brings families, students, schools, and staff together to promote daily attendance and help students finish the school year strong.
Students are considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year (about 18 days) for any reason. Even when absences are excused, missing this amount of school time can make it harder for students to keep up with learning, build relationships, and stay connected to their school community. Regular attendance helps students feel confident, supported, and ready to succeed.
Families play an important role in helping students succeed. Supporting daily routines, encouraging students to share their voices, and celebrating progress all make a difference.
Together, we continue to carry forward a simple and powerful message: Every day counts–show up, connect, succeed.
Report an Absence
Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy
According to the Virginia Department of Education, attendance has been increasingly the focus of attention among school divisions and educators. Regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success:
- Chronic absenteeism correlates to low academic achievement;
- Absenteeism is a powerful predictor of dropout rates;
- Absenteeism has been linked to poor outcomes later in life.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Based on a 180-day school year, that means approximately 18 days per year or 2 to 3 days per month.
Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences, where the parent is unaware of or does not support the student’s absence, or where the parent’s provided reason for the absence is not acceptable to the school administration.
Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences. Therefore, the broader emphasis is on improving attendance for every student.
Understand Attendance Expectations and F.A.Q.
Preschool: Ready to Learn
Preschool: Ready to Learn
Every day in preschool is a chance to learn, play, make friends, and build skills for kindergarten. Our Every Day Counts: Ready to Learn resources help families establish routines and support regular attendance.
Use the Family Attendance Tracker to keep track of absences and explore the Family Toolkit for practical tips, planning tools, and support when getting to school is challenging.
We Can Help
We Can Help
Getting to school isn’t always easy. If transportation, health concerns, anxiety, family circumstances, or other challenges are affecting your child’s attendance, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Contact your child’s teacher, school counselor, or school office. We will work with you to understand your family’s needs, connect you with available resources, and develop a plan to help your child attend, learn, and feel connected.
Reach out early - we’re here to help.
Every Day Counts March 2026 Campaign Highlights
Every Day Counts March 2026 Campaign Highlights
Throughout March 2026, NNPS students, families, and staff came together to celebrate why showing up matters. Through student created videos and posters, family pledge cards, an elementary design challenge, and a school attendance improvement challenge, the campaign connected attendance with creativity, belonging, and student success.
Explore the student voices, school celebrations, and attendance improvement award winners that brought Every Day Counts-We Need You Here! to life.
Every Day Counts Because...
Every Day Counts: March 2026 Attendance Improvement Award Winners
March 2026 Elementary School Design Challenge
Elementary School Design Challenge
Elementary students participated in a school-based Design Challenge designed to boost engagement and attendance on half days as part of the Every Day Counts – We Need You Here campaign.
Using the book "We are Definitely Human," students took part in a sci-fi–inspired engineering challenge that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Through hands-on design and imaginative thinking, students explored what it means to be human while applying engineering and design-thinking skills in a fun, interactive way.
