Douglas Elementary kicks off Attendance Awareness Month

Published 5:40 am Saturday, August 31, 2024

While recognizing National Attendance Awareness Month this September, Tyler ISD is emphasizing to students and their families that every day in school matters.

“We want the kids to understand how important it is to come every day and the impact of missing school,” said Dana Ogden, guidance counselor for Douglas Elementary. “Because missing even a single day can mean losing out on valuable learning. Many of our students do their best and get here every day.”

In support of this initiative, the district has launched the “Be Present, BE POWERFUL!” campaign. On Friday, Douglas Elementary kicked things off with a superhero-themed day. From Spider-Man to Supergirl, students eagerly showcased their favorite superheroes to stress the importance of daily attendance.

Students from Pre-K through 12th grade who achieve perfect attendance in September will have the chance to win special prizes. This campaign underscores that being present is not just about attendance but about embracing the power of learning, day by day.

Second-grader Mateo Perdomo chose Batman as his favorite superhero because he likes bats. He said perfect attendance is important because “it means you’ve been learning a lot and getting smarter.”

But students who don’t come to school daily risk “losing” their “learning,” Mateo added.

As counselor, Ogden helps students connect their education to future career goals.

“It’s all about laying the foundation for their future, whether they aspire to be a welder, teacher, or doctor. We make it personal and aim to motivate them to understand the importance of education for themselves,” she said.

Throughout the month, students in the district will engage in activities and lessons highlighting the importance of daily attendance. The aim is to foster a strong culture of attendance and remind everyone that showing up is the first step toward success.

Douglas Elementary is also introducing several incentives to boost attendance. The ‘Golden Ticket’ initiative will reward families of students with perfect attendance for the entire school year with a special event featuring food, a jumping house, a movie in the courtyard, and more.

As a Leader In Me campus, the school will also incorporate a ‘Leadership’ theme into its attendance program. Each classroom will display the word ‘leadership,’ and classes that achieve perfect attendance can color in a letter.

“Once they get ‘leadership’ colored in, they get 10 extra minutes of recess … which is a big deal at elementary school,” Ogden said.

Every nine weeks, the top three classes with the highest attendance will be honored at an assembly, with the leading class receiving a pizza party. Students with perfect attendance each nine-week period will receive awards and be invited to a small, fun event at school. Classes achieving 98% or higher attendance during each nine-week period will be recognized with a special attendance banner.

While the district acknowledges that illness and family emergencies can cause absences, consistent attendance is vital for academic success and personal development. Regular school attendance helps students stay on track, build strong relationships, and develop essential skills. Minimizing absences allows students to reach their full potential and contribute positively to their learning environment.

Research from Attendance Works highlights that frequent absences, even in early education, can lead to falling behind. Missing just two days a month can significantly impact reading skills, and even occasional absences can contribute to academic setbacks. Punctuality is also important, as being late can affect overall attendance. Classrooms thrive when all students are present and engaged, minimizing disruptions.

The district offers tips to help students achieve perfect attendance: establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine, prepare clothes and backpacks the night before, keep children healthy and up-to-date with vaccinations, and schedule non-urgent appointments and trips outside of school hours.