South Dakota’s Governor, Kristi Noem, has issued an executive proclamation naming September 2019 as Attendance Awareness Month. We know from experience that our students who attend school regularly and ready to learn are more likely to achieve academic success. Attendance is a critical life skill that will follow our students beyond the walls of the school into their adult lives. You can read Governor Noem’s full proclamation below.
Executive Proclamation
Office of the Governor
State of South Dakota
WHEREAS, Good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation, and South Dakota is committed to reducing chronic absenteeism rates; and
WHEREAS, Chronic absence, missing 10 percent or more of school or just 2 or 3 days a month, is a proven predictor of academic trouble and dropout rates; and
WHEREAS, The impact of chronic absence hits low-income students who are more likely to face systemic barriers in getting to school – such as unreliable transportation, lack of access to health care, unstable or unaffordable housing; and
WHEREAS, Improving attendance and reducing chronic absence takes commitment, collaboration, and approaches tailored to particular challenges and strengths in each community; and
WHEREAS, Chronic absence can be significantly reduced when schools, parents, and communities work together to monitor and promote good attendance and address hurdles that keep children from getting to school:
Now, Therefore, I, Kristi Noem, Governor of the State of South Dakota, do hereby proclaim September 2019, as
Attendance Awareness Month
in South Dakota, and encourage school leaders, parents, and communities to spread the message that good attendance matters and to develop solutions to ensure all children are in school as much as possible and engaged in their learning.