Schools throughout MDUSD stress the importance of attendance to ensure academic success

As MDUSD enters the month of September this week, our schools are unifying around a consistent message to students and families: "Attendance matters." At Back to School Nights, in Principals' Newsletters and on digital signs outside schools - this message is being reinforced with this year's attendance campaign slogan: "Be here. Be ready. Belong." 

We are also rolling out a new ParentSquare messaging system called "Attendance Plus," which allows for two-way communication between schools and families regarding absences. The reason behind this attendance emphasis is simple: students need to be in school to learn and stay on track to graduate.

It also coincides with a statewide and nationwide Back-to-School emphasis on Attendance Awareness in the month of September. The MDUSD School Board - along with school boards throughout the state and country - has proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month. "This is a very important initiative in our District," said Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, at the Aug. 26 Board meeting. "If district If students aren’t here at school, then they can’t learn and they can’t take advantage of the social interactions with their peers and being around trusted adults, and also the meals which we serve."

Aurelia Buscemi, Director of Enrollment Services, noted in her presentation to the Board that the District is focused on reducing "chronic absenteeism," which means missing 10% of school. Statistics show that:

• 59% of students who are chronically absent in Kindergarten or 1st grade are not able to read at grade level after 3rd grade
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

Buscemi said interviews with MDUSD 12th-graders who were chronically absent showed that absences were driven by unmet social-emotional needs, relationships, and school climate. While each student's circumstance was unique, the theme of lack of belonging was consistent. This is why the District is working to strengthen the feeling of belonging for students by making them feel welcome in inclusive learning environments with trusted adults who help them feel valued, connected and successful.

For those who are struggling, the District will provide personalized outreach to families, meet with parents/guardians to develop an action plan, and identify and address barriers to attendance. Students with severe chronic absenteeism (missing 30% or more of school) will receive additional family supports.

"It takes a village," Buscemi said, noting that teachers, counselors, bus drivers, office staff, food and nutrition workers and custodians all play a role in creating safe, welcoming learning environments to show our students we support them so they can be here, be ready, and belong. 

Board President Debra Mason, who attended Back to School Nights at Delta View, Sun Terrace, Rio Vista, and Wren Avenue elementary schools, as well as at Holbrook Language Academy and Riverview MS, said she heard the same message everywhere she went. "The message is clear from all administrators," she said. "They're telling the parents the kids need to be here. If they’re not here, they’re not learning. It’s just really good to see everybody sharing the same message. It excites me."