Taking attendance and monitoring participation is still crucial for identifying whether students are accessing lessons, or if they need supports to overcome barriers to showing up. Especially with today’s significantly high levels of absenteeism, mayors and other elected leaders, school boards and superintendents can signal the importance of school attendance by declaring that September is Attendance Awareness Month. The template below can easily be adapted for state leaders and boards. National and local organizations can also use these template proclamations and disseminate them through their networks.
Template proclamation:
How can city leaders and elected officials improve chronic absence?
- Download the Student Reengagement Fact Sheet.
We were delighted to see proclamations issued throughout the country designating September (or the start of school) as Attendance Awareness Month.
Alabama
On September 2, 2024, Governor Kay Ivey officially proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month in Alabama! The Alabama State Board of Education encourages communities, schools, and civic organizations to join the effort to reduce chronic absenteeism. Read the Proclamation.
Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship signed a proclamation recognizing September as Attendance Awareness Month. Ozark City Schools is actively working to remind families that consistent attendance is essential for a child’s education and is implementing a plan to reduce absences, ensuring equal educational opportunities for all students. Watch the video.
Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs proclaimed September 25th as Chronic Absence Awareness Day in Arizona to recognize the impact that missing school has on students’ educational progress. The proclamation spotlighted the importance of the Arizona Chronic Absence Task Force (scroll down the page) in helping schools, districts, and communities boost attendance and reduce chronic absence.
California
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has declared September as Attendance Awareness Month, urging schools and communities to engage families in reducing chronic absenteeism. This year’s theme, “California Shows Up Every Day!,” highlights the importance of consistent attendance and the wide range of support available for students, such as universal school meals and community school resources. Read the letter from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Colorado
Dr. Julie Chapman, from Fort Collins, Colorado, was a guest speaker at the Poudre School District board meeting in support of Attendance Awareness Month 2024. She thanked the board for recognizing the importance of the initiative and noted that absenteeism has been increasing in the district since Covid-19. The school board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution. Watch the video.
Flordia
On August 26, 2024, the City of Palmetto officially proclaimed September 2024 as Attendance Awareness Month. Mayor Shirley Groover-Bryant read the proclamation. The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading was honored to receive the proclamation on behalf of the community.
The Clay County School Board, led by Chair Ashley Gilhousen and Superintendent David S. Broskie, declared September as “Attendance Awareness Month” under the theme “Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow.” The Board urges the community to work together to reduce chronic absenteeism and create a positive school environment where all students can succeed. Proclamation
The City Commission of Sarasota, Florida has recognized September 2024 as Attendance Awareness Month in support of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. This proclamation honors SCGLR’s ongoing efforts to engage families and communities in promoting regular school attendance. Proclamation.
Georgia
DeKalb County Board of Education, led by Superintendent Wayne Lyles and Attendance Supervisor Jason Mayfield, signed a resolution to improve student attendance. This resolution solidified partnerships between DeKalb County Schools, the Juvenile Probation Office, Juvenile Court, and the Sheriff’s Office. Together, they’ve committed to reducing chronic absenteeism by 50% in five years.
New York
At an Attendance Matters assembly held at Van Schaick Grade School in Cohoes New York, Mayor William Keeler proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month. The mayor also issued a challenge to the school, promising a pizza party to any class that had 95% or better attendance.
Oregon
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared September 2024 as “Attendance Awareness Month” to address chronic absenteeism in Oregon schools. Her proclamation, issued on September 6, emphasizes the importance of regular attendance for students’ success. Oregon Department of Education Director Dr. Charlene Williams highlighted the need for collaboration between educators, parents, and communities to prioritize attendance. Oregon City News Article
Tennessee
On August 12, 2024, at the Lenoir City Council Meeting, Mayor Tony Aikens presented a proclamation to Lenoir City School Superintendent Dr. Millicent Smith, officially designating September as Attendance Awareness Month. The proclamation also acknowledged the ‘GetYourSelfie2School’ attendance initiative, which aims to encourage students to prioritize school attendance.
Texas
Zapata County Independent School District (ZCISD) has proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month. The district thanks Judge Joseph Rathmell, and Commissioners Garza, Solis, Morales, and Mendoza for their approval. Special recognition is also given to the County Attorney’s Office, led by Mr. Figueroa, and the district’s Attendance Recovery Officers, under Mrs. Irma Guerra, for their key roles in this initiative.
Virginia
Loudoun County Public Schools recognized September 2024 as Attendance Awareness Month. The Department of Student Services in Loudoun County requested an Attendance Awareness Month Proclamation on August 12, 2024, which was then adopted by the Loudoun County School Board. The Morning Journal Article
The Petersburg City School Board, led by Chairman Kenneth L. Pritchett and Acting Superintendent Yolonda C. Brown, has proclaimed September 2024 as “Attendance Awareness Month.” The goal is to reduce absenteeism and ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. The proclamation calls for collaboration among schools, families, elected leaders, and community partners. Adopted on September 4, 2024. Proclamation