Attendance Awareness

A student missing an average of just two days of school monthly, whether excused or unexcused, is chronically absent and at risk of academic failure. Chronic absence during the foundational early learning years can cause a child to fall behind by as much as a full month at the end of the school year. Children with high risk factors such as poverty, homelessness, frequent moves and chronic health issues can least afford to miss school. Good attendance matters for school success, starting as early as Kindergarten and throughout elementary school. By middle and high school, poor attendance is a leading indicator of dropout so developing the habit of good attendance at a young age prepares students for success in school, on the job...and in life!  

 

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is working with the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Services and their S.T.A.R.S. Truancy program Liaisons to address this important issue with schools, families and the community as we work together to identify and overcome barriers to regular school attendance as early as preschool.

 

"Every Student Every Day NEPA" is a community-wide initiative led by the Office of Youth and Family Services, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and local school district leaders with the goal of promoting positive connections to increase school attendance which leads to academic success.