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.

Every day counts in a child’s education and School Attendance Matters. Chronic absenteeism has been defined as missing at least 10% of days in a school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. 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 helped motivate a few community partners including Carson City 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 many others, the mayor and these community partners have awarded six bicycles per elementary school and one bike for each middle school and high school (40 in total). Additionally, they have provided gift cards, movie tickets, etc. 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, director of Student Engagement and Support for the Carson City School District. “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 a families unify with schools and understand the importance and overall impact of missing school.”

While we recognize that life happens and that there will be times we 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. Parents must be behind these efforts to ensure their children are practicing good habits at home and at school. After all, parents are children’s first teachers, and family values are the main contributing factors to the life of a successful student.

“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.”

Not only does attendance matter in school, but those early learned habits of tardiness or unplanned days off also play a significant role in careers and future employment opportunities, Madera continued. Educators, parents, community partners and businesses need to unify in the effort.

“The most common answer to the question I ask my students on why they are not attending school is twofold: ‘Who cares, and I do not see the point,” Madera continued. “The answer I give is that our schools care about you, and we want to see you back in school. For the ‘I don’t see the point’ answer I tell the student that I understand the sentiment, but let us show you the possibilities that school has to offer.”

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.