The Syracuse City School District said it is focused on improving attendance for all students as it heads into a new school year. Data from the district shows more than 50 percent of students were chronically absent from 2022 to 2023 and fell slightly last year. By definition, a student is chronically absent after missing 18 days of school. The district is launching its “Show up to Glow up: Rise and Thrive” campaign to emphasize for parents and students the importance of showing up and getting to school on time daily. At a news conference held Wednesday at Meachem Elementary School in Syracuse, Superintendent Anthony Davis said chronic absenteeism undermines educational habits and development for the youngest of learners.
“I’m not going to call it a failure because I don’t know the circumstances. So, I think we need to work with families to figure out what is happening and what we can do to help assist them.”
Davis said every school has an attendance department ready to work with parents to help establish a regular routine for kids going to school, which he said is essential at the earliest ages for their future success.
“Kindergarten is probably the biggest part of the problem and then you start to create those habits… so, we’re just working through all those pieces at every level.”
While Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said he and his wife are fortunate to personally drive their students to school, he cited that 25% of city residents can’t afford their own vehicle.
“The city is looking at how we can continue to improve transportation options. We've brought in the county because the county is where all of the human service funding flows through. And so, they're at the table providing support.”
Another barrier for parents, he said, is being forced to move once a year. That’s because 25% of city residents also face housing instability. However, the Mayor reminded parents that students need to be in school to take advantage of resources and services available to them. Parents who need assistance getting their students to school can reach out to their individual school’s attendance office. And, if their students don’t show up, parents or guardians can expect a call.