September 3, 2024
Greensboro, Ga. — The Greene County School System (GCSS) proudly announces the kickoff of its 2024-25 attendance campaign, embracing the national theme from Attendance Works: "Be Present, Be Powerful." September is Attendance Awareness Month, and this year's campaign is a continuation of the district's ongoing efforts to combat chronic absenteeism, a challenge that has affected schools nationwide, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Building on the successes of last year, GCSS has seen significant improvements in student attendance. Comparing the official 2022-23 CCRPI data with 2023-24 school district data, the GCSS recorded a notable decrease in the percentage of chronically absent students across all schools, with a 2% reduction at Greene County Primary School, an impressive 13% decrease at Carson Middle School, and a 5% drop at Greene County High School.
Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year (equivalent to 18 days per year or about 2 days each month in Greene County), has long been a concern in the United States. The problem was exacerbated by the pandemic, with a nationwide analysis revealing a significant increase in chronic absenteeism rates, from 14% pre-pandemic in the 2018-19 school year to 26% during the 2022-23 school year.
In response to this challenge, GCSS has made combating chronic absenteeism a priority in its 5-Year Strategic Plan. The plan outlines specific goals, including reducing the number of students who miss more than 10% of enrolled days and decreasing absenteeism due to disciplinary suspensions.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rotonya Rhodes, who leads the district's Attendance Committee, emphasized the importance of a collective effort in addressing this issue. "Our committee is dedicated to identifying and removing barriers to school attendance, educating the community about the significance of regular attendance, and enhancing our support and intervention processes for at-risk students," Dr. Rhodes stated.
The campaign also includes a comprehensive communications strategy aimed at educating students, parents, and the community about the critical role attendance plays in a student's academic success. The school system has also partnered with local businesses and community organizations to amplify the campaign's message, enlisting their help to consistently reach students and families with information about the importance of regular school attendance from multiple avenues throughout the community.
"Everyone in our community has a role in ensuring our children are in school and learning," Dr. Rhodes said. "We are deeply appreciative of the support from our local partners and look forward to continued collaboration throughout this initiative."
The district has also introduced student engagement initiatives to foster a culture of attendance. In the spring semester, friendly competitions were held among grade levels and schools each month, with Carson Middle School and CBJ Preschool each winning a district-wide attendance competition for the most significant improvement. Chronic absenteeism decreased significantly at each school, demonstrating the effectiveness of the district's focused efforts.
As the new school year begins, the Greene County School System remains committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. With the "Be Present, Be Powerful" campaign, the district is poised to make even greater strides in reducing chronic absenteeism and empowering students to achieve their full potential.
For more information about the GCSS attendance campaign or to learn how you can support this initiative, please contact the Greene County School System district office at (706) 453-7688.
