A new effort to increase student attendance at school

New York City is launching a new campaign called "Every Student, Every Day" in order to boost attendance among schools that have the worst record for attendance. The campaign started yesterday, August 19th, when 5,000 letters were sent to the homes of kids who have the worst track record of ditching school.

The letters, meant for the parents, are to urge them to make sure their child shows up to school in September. Phone calls will come second once school starts. 25 schools located in the city will be a part of the campaign, which is a result of Mayor Bloomberg's effort to help with "chronic absenteeism." The schools were selected not only because of their poor absent track records, but because they have strong leadership as well.

Each school involved will be assigned volunteers from City Year, Citizen Schools and Learning Leaders to help mentor the most frequently absent 1,500 students. They will also host special attendance-focused parent meetings this fall. "We need to pool the resources and talents of every city agency and community partner," said John Fleinblatt, an advisor to Mayor Bloomberg.

To read more about the Every Student, Every Day pilot campaign, click below.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1b2amt/gothamschools.org/2010/08/19/push-to-boost-attendance-begins-with-a-single-letter-home//r:t