Trenton Public Schools initiative seeks to reduce chronic absenteeism
TRENTON >> Trenton Public Schools is preparing to launch an “Every Day Matters” campaign to help improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10 percent or more of school for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. Chronic absence, according to the Trenton Board of Education, is “a proven predictor of academic trouble and dropout rates.”
Recognizing that good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation, Trenton Public Schools is kicking off its Every Day Matters initiative with a “rainbow drive” of family fun later this month at P.J. Hill Elementary School.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, families can enjoy free food, music entertainment, face painting and more during the Every Day Matters kickoff at P.J. Hill.
Numerous community partners will provide families with information on youth programs at the kickoff event, and families will have a chance to receive on-the-spot wellness checks, immunizations, flu shots, lead testing, toiletry kits, bus tickets and rain gear, according to Denise Holguin, a Trenton Public Schools parent coordinator.
The capital city school district for years has tried to reverse its chronic absenteeism problem. The Trenton Board of Education in March 2016 passed a resolution vowing it was “committed to focusing on reducing chronic absenteeism to give all our school children an equitable opportunity to learn, grow and thrive academically, emotionally and socially.”
The resolution further stated that “improving attendance and reducing chronic absence takes commitment, collaboration, and tailored approaches to particular challenges and strengths in each community.”
The Princeton Area Community Foundation last year awarded $3 million in grants to help reduce chronic absenteeism in Mercer County. From that funding pool, Trenton Public Schools received a $300,000 All Kids Thrive grant that will be paid out over five years to help the district reduce chronic absenteeism through community involvement.
Chronic absence is when a student misses two or more days of classroom instruction per month. The Every Day Matters kickoff will link community services to help reduce barriers of chronic absenteeism.
P.J. Hill Elementary School is located at 1010 East State St. in Trenton.