Attendance Awareness Campaign Update for September 19, 2024

Attendance Awareness Campaign Update

A project led by Attendance Works

September 19, 2024

Celebrating Attendance,

Raising Awareness!

Spreading the message about the opportunities students gain by regular attendance at the start of the school year can set the tone for the next eight months. Messaging can help families and students realize that daily attendance is key to reaching their dreams of a healthy and successful future.

A new study from the Ad Council Research Institute (ACRI) finds that parents/caregivers responded more favorably to messaging with a positive tone and a focus on the benefits of consistent in-person attendance, such as academic, social and emotional growth. The same parents said that messaging that chastises them or only communicates the academic consequences of missing school is less effective. See the executive summary.

ACRI developed a toolkit with examples of positive approaches to messaging.(You will have to provide your email to download the study and the messaging toolkit.)

Watch the ACRI webinar discussing the survey findings. Use passcode: eZ4W$8we

Donate now

Reducing today’s high levels of chronic absence requires a continual focus on engagement, support and the rebuilding of routines. Donate today to help propel the push for a full educational recovery.

Attendance Awareness Webinars

On 9/25, hear superintendents from Ohio, Kansas and California share how they are boosting attendance and engagement in different types of communities. The Ad Council Research Institute will share results from its survey on how parents of K-12 students view absences, and a toolkit with tips on messaging about attendance.

Leadership For Sustainability: Superintendents Making a Difference, September 25, 2024, 12-1:30pm PT / 3-4:30pm ET.
Missed a webinar? Find the recording and materials on our website.

Help to spread the word! Sample social media

🌟 Hear how superintendents from Ohio, Kansas and California are reducing chronic absence in their communities. Don’t miss out! Register now for our upcoming webinar. #BePresentBePowerful https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_slVpEcy1QZaYGIdh2fXvSw#/registration

Attendance Celebrations

Baltimore County Public Schools is celebrating Attendance Awareness Month with a countywide spirit day every Friday in September. Staff and students are encouraged to participate and post on social media using hashtags #BCPSHereForIt and #SchoolEveryDay and to share their photos.

Dallas ISD is celebrating Attendance Awareness Month with the theme “Show up! Attendance Matters.” Each Wednesday throughout the month, central office and campus team members are encouraged to participate in weekly attendance awareness dress-up days.

State News

We were delighted to keynote at Alabama’s Absenteeism and Truancy Summit, a two-day statewide summit to address challenges to being in school and identify prevention and intervention approaches. View the news video via ABC 33/40.

Connecticut is making progress improving student attendance. How are they doing this? Check out how in this short video via WTNH News8.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the statewide AAM theme “California Shows Up Every Day!” in a letter encouraging superintendents and administrators to support schools as they engage families with positive and supportive messages that encourage consistent attendance.

Research Spotlight

Up to 40% of US high school students do not feel connected to school, according to a new brief from the Aspen Institute. The brief puts this belonging crisis in context and offers key recommendations on how schools can foster student belonging so every child feels valued, understood and connected.

Event Spotlight

Join Engage Every Student on September 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET for a webinar to learn how afterschool programs can help reduce chronic absenteeism. We’re moderating the discussion about strategies and resources that schools and families can use to ensure students stay on track in school.

Save the date! Chronic Absenteeism Bright Spots Series: Elevating School Attendance Through Meaningful Engagement in California, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Registration is open.

Join Hedy Chang for the Fireside Chat: The Evolving Nature of Chronic Absenteeism: Exploring How Attendance Has Shifted in the United States in the Aftermath of the Pandemic, a plenary held on October 30th at the International Network for School Attendance conference in New Orleans. Register for the conference.

Partner Spotlight

The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is a national nonprofit dedicated to lifting up underserved leaders and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and abilities to transform their communities through education with collaborative, equity-driven solutions. By cultivating strong capacity across all levels, we help local leaders to drive meaningful change for communities, families and children.

IEL’s 2025 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference (CSxFE) will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 28-30! Registration is open. Don't miss out on the most discounted pricing.

MENTOR aims to drive equity and close the mentoring gap through quality mentoring relationships for young people. They activate a diverse cross-sector movement that prioritizes relationships and fuels opportunity for young people everywhere they are — from schools to workplaces, and beyond.

MENTOR is seeking nominations for the Excellence in Mentoring Awards — winners will be honored at the National Mentoring Summit in January. Register and nominate today.

Corporate Sponsors

A special thanks to the corporate sponsors who have already committed to supporting our 2024 Attendance Awareness Campaign. Their investment makes it possible for us to provide you with free strategies and materials.

Attendance in the News

Opinion: As a New School Year Begins, Ensuring All Students Feel a Sense of Belonging, The74, September 5, 2024

Are chronic absenteeism interventions working? K-12 Dive, September 3, 2024

"Being Present Matters" Public Service Campaign Launches, Good Morning America, August 28, 2024

Campaign Convening Partners

See the full list of Attendance Awareness Partners here.

Attendance Works is a non-profit, national and state initiative. Our mission is to promote equal opportunities to learn and advance student success by reducing chronic absence. Find free downloadable resources, research, consulting services and more on our website: www.attendanceworks.org

For more information contact: info@attendanceworks.org