Attending school regularly is necessary for students to build the academic and social skills they need to succeed. Missing just two days a month, 10% of the school year, is considered chronic absenteeism and can leave third graders unable to read proficiently, sixth graders struggling with coursework, and high school students off track for graduation.
Donna shared about SCGLR’s Attendance Awareness Poster Contest that invites children across the Suncoast to participate in a contest that encourages showing up to school. With the theme “Every Day Counts”, children get time to create a poster that portrays the theme from their perspective. The contest reminds us that kids can be our biggest teachers and that they have a role in helping their families understand why showing up to school is so important.
Susan shared about Charlotte County’s involvement in SCGLR’s Motivating Improved Attendance (MIA) initiative. MIA invites schools to participate and receive additional support to strengthen their attendance efforts, particularly with the children and families most at risk for chronic absence. This support includes providing tools and resources to help foster a culture of showing up.
To learn more about the work of these two wonderful initiatives, watch the podcast below or listen to the podcast here.
