570-327-5500 • wasd . org
WILLIAMSPORT AREA
SCHOOL NEWS
570-327-5500 • wasd . org
‘ SHOWING UP TOGETHER ’: WASD RESURRECTS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Williamsport Area School District is resurrecting its “ Be Present ” campaign to raise awareness against and help mitigate chronic absenteeism . And the timing is just right . September is national Attendance Awareness Month , and the district has worked through the summer months to reorganize and reenergize its pre-pandemic “ Be Present ” campaign messaging under the new 2023-2024 slogan , “ Showing Up Together .”
“ Families play a key role in making sure students access learning opportunities and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job ,” said Dr . Brandon Pardoe , WASD ’ s director of student services . “ It is our responsibility as a community to promote regular attendance . Regular attendance is a significant predictor of graduation rates and employment .”
Nationally , an estimated 5 million to 7.5 million students are at risk academically each year because they are chronically absent — missing up to 10 percent or more of school days in excused and unexcused absences , according to report issued by Attendance Works .
“ When families understand the negative effects of chronic absenteeism on realizing their hopes and dreams for their children , we can work on improving attendance in WASD ,” Pardoe added . “ Too many parents and students do not realize that just missing two days each month equates to missing 10 percent of the school year . Families need to realize that absenteeism becomes habitual over a period of time and leads to significant academic deficiencies . Making school attendance a family-based regular routine in the early grades can influence their children ’ s chances of earning a high school diploma .”
Under amendments made to the Pennsylvania School Code ( Act 138 ) in 2016 , the state now “ grades ” districts on its attendance rates . As a result , the changes prompted WASD to re-work its own attendance policy in 2018 . The district ’ s policy now stipulates “ after three days of unlawful absences ( including unexcused absences ) within one school year , parents will receive a letter from their child ’ s school that outlines the consequences of habitual truancy and invites them to a School Attendance Improvement Conference . Additional absences beyond the first three unlawful absences may result in a referral to a school-based attendance improvement program , referral to Lycoming County Children and Youth services , and / or a citation for violating compulsory attendance laws .” Pardoe added the goal is to more broadly mobilize the Williamsport community behind “ showing up together .”
By launching its promotional efforts this fall , including a partnership with the City of Williamsport and Lamar Advertising , the district hopes to motivate students and parents by showcasing the academic and social benefits of attending school on a regular basis .
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