As of the first semester of the school year, eight of the nine schools in the Carson City School District have shown a “desired decline” in chronic absenteeism. Of those, two schools have lower chronic absenteeism as compared to pre-pandemic percentages.
Hearing about alarming chronic absenteeism statistics since the pandemic helped motivate a few community partners including Mayor Lori Bagwell. Having launched the “Mayor’s Attendance Hall of Fame” campaign last year, Bagwell doubled down and continued the effort again this year, making strides in school attendance in Carson City. The campaign promotes perfect, improved or consistent attendance and is designed to help students understand the importance of attending school and incentivize children to arrive on time and remain at school.
Partnering with local businesses including Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU), Carson City Toyota, Casino Fandango, Glen Eagles Restaurant and others, the mayor and these community partners have awarded six bicycles per elementary school and one bike for each middle school and high school, or 40 in total. Additionally, they have provided gift cards, movie tickets and more. Because numerous students met the criteria, the bikes and other prizes were awarded in a raffle drawing.
“School attendance has shown to be a key indicator significantly correlated with high school graduation,” said Jason Zona, CCSD director of Student Engagement and Support. “The effects of lost school days build up one absence at a time with individual students. The best way to counteract that is to build up regular attendance, one day at a time and to help parents and families unify with schools and understand the importance and overall impact of missing school.”
While the district recognizes that life happens and that there will be times students will not be able to go to school for reasons beyond our control, absenteeism or tardiness becomes an issue at school when it becomes a constant behavior, Zona continued.
“If a child is communicating a desire to not attend school or attendance issues persist, don’t be afraid to ask school officials for help,” said Joseph Madera, Engagement and Attendance specialist for the Carson City School District. “There are resources and support from the school community.”
Certificates for the prizes from the attendance campaign were awarded publicly during school assemblies and in classrooms. The events served as incentives for youth to establish lifelong positive habits. The bikes will be awarded in a celebration event for winning students and their families Wednesday, January 29, at 5:30 p.m., at the Fandango Ballroom. There will be food and drinks and safety gear provided that the students can use to best equip their bikes.