Count ME In Maine

10/13/2026

A steady bedtime routine helps kids feel rested and ready to learn, play, and connect each day.

Small night-before habits can make mornings feel much calmer for the whole family.

~Schools are welcome to share!

10/09/2026

"Sometimes we make assumptions about families when a child is absent or late. We assume the parent doesn’t care. We assume school isn’t a priority. We assume they aren’t trying, but sometimes we don’t know the whole story.

Maybe a parent is getting multiple children ready. Maybe they are dealing with childcare, work schedules or a long commute. Maybe their family has experienced a loss. Maybe they’re simply trying to figure out how to make everything work.

That doesn’t mean attendance isn’t important. It means we need to understand what makes attendance difficult and work with families to overcome those barriers.

My experience showed me that schools don’t have to choose between accountability and understanding. They can expect students to be at school and ready to learn while also recognizing that families may need support getting there." Meghan Cooper

From:

Parent’s view: School leaders need to realize what makes showing up for school on time difficult and work with families to overcome those barriers.

10/05/2026

🍂Count ME In E-News October 2026 🌨️ - https://mailchi.mp/eb198a96d721/cmienewsoct2026-14772003

09/29/2026

As September comes to an end, this is a good time to pause and notice what is working.

Ask your child:
💚 What helps you feel ready for school?
💚 What part of the day feels easiest?
💚 Is anything making school harder right now?
💚 What would help tomorrow go more smoothly?

You do not need all the answers. Sometimes a simple conversation is the first step toward making school feel easier.And don’t forget to celebrate what is going well.

09/28/2026

If your child has already missed a few days of school, it is not too late to improve it.

September is a good time to notice what might be making regular attendance harder.

Maybe your child was sick? Maybe transportation changed? Maybe the classroom feels overwhelming? Maybe something else is getting in the way?

The important thing is to stay connected with school and make a plan for what comes next.

If you are worried about attendance, reaching out to your child’s teacher can be a helpful first step. You do not have to figure everything out alone.

Resources for families: https://www.countmeinmaine.org/for-families

09/26/2026

It's almost the end of September, which means it's time to submit your days of great attendance in the Google form for a chance of Box Of Maine Classroom kit!

For any day since school started this year through 9/30, celebrate everyone present in your Maine elementary school classroom by entering the raffle.

Monthly winners will be drawn 10/1.

No perfect days in September? Try again in October and check out our resources to support strong attendance: https://www.countmeinmaine.org/everybody-counts

Each day is a fresh start!

Maine Education Association Maine Department of Education

09/26/2026

While we wish that you had the resources to troubleshoot attendance challenges student by student, that's likely not the case.

Looking for grade level trends is a great place to start!

"Look across your students, find the barriers showing up most often, and put the right systemic support behind them, then get more targeted with the students who need it most.

And when you look at those patterns by grade level, important differences start to emerge."

From:

The key to solving chronic absenteeism isn’t stacking more interventions; it’s greater precision about where to focus efforts.

09/26/2026

Another amazing attendance celebration from a Maine school!

Maine Education Association Maine Department of Education

09/26/2026

Need a reminder of the difference between unexcused & unexcused absences?

Attendance Works

09/21/2026

Getting to school every day is easier when mornings feel predictable.

Families do not need perfect routines. Small, repeatable steps can help children know what comes next.

Try choosing one thing to make easier this week:
• Pack what is needed the night before
• Set out clothes (or put on clean ones after a bath and sleep in them!)
• Talk through the morning plan
• Make a backup plan for transportation
• Check in about anything making school feel hard

Small routines can lower stress and help everyone start the day with more confidence.