September is Attendance Awareness Month, a time when schools, communities and organizations across the nation come together to emphasize the critical role attendance plays in student success. This observance, themed #showinguptogether for 2023, serves as a reminder that attendance is a shared responsibility. It is not only the duty of students to show up to class, but also that of parents, staff and our community of support to encourage consistent attendance.
Although Attendance Awareness Month is wrapping up, attendance must remain a top priority all year long. Starting Monday, Oct. 2, let's see how many students can report being "HERE" during roll call!
In Aurora Public Schools, we know that families are our partners in education and understand the value of strong attendance. In order for students to bring their plans to life, it is important for them to be at school to engage in learning every day.
Students who miss just two days of school a month (excused or unexcused) over the course of a year are at risk of not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, struggling academically in middle school and/or dropping out of high school. A student who does not attend school regularly may even have trouble making close friends. Absenteeism can affect the whole child, negatively affecting their social, emotional and physical well-being.
Families are our partners in education, but everybody plays a role in ensuring students attend school regularly. We all prosper when students can gain skills that prepare them to contribute to their communities. If we are all #showinguptogether, everybody succeeds! Local businesses can incentivize students for good or improved attendance. Before- and after-school program providers can ensure students have engaging morning and afternoon activities that they won’t want to miss. As they say, “It takes a village.”
We recognize that some absences are unavoidable, such as when children get sick and need to stay home. However, the key to success is getting children to school when they are healthy and avoiding any unnecessary absences. By working together, we can create a network of support that reinforces the value of education and the opportunities it opens up for students.
Every day a student attends school is a day they move one step closer to their dreams. Thank you for being a part of this movement and part of our community of support!