In an effort to improve academic readiness,Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Yonkers Public Schools held an assembly today at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy and asked Yonkers students to participate in the Pledge 180 campaign, in which students commit to attend school every day and on time.
“We need to remind our children that every day they attend school counts and makes them more successful students,” said Mayor Spano. “After two years of disrupted learning, some families still struggle to rebuild the habits necessary to help their children attend school every day. However, by working with our Yonkers Public Schools administrators, teachers and parents, I am confident that our students will continue to work hard and strive for achievement and greatness in their academic career and beyond.”
Research has shown that students who miss 10% of the school year (18 days or 2 days per month) are not as academically successful through their school years and have a more difficult time graduating. Starting as early as Kindergarten, chronic absenteeism can cause a student to fall behind in school. In fact, chronic absenteeism, missing 18 days or more, can make it more difficult for children to learn to read and develop fundamental math skills.
“There is an abundance of research regarding the correlation of student and teacher attendance with students’ academic and social-emotional growth,” noted Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools. “As recent as this week, in the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ (NAEP) The Nation’s Report Card about Reading and Mathematics at Grades 4 and 8, it states, ‘The results also underscore the importance of [in person] instruction and the role of schools in both students’ academic growth and their overall wellbeing.’ Dr. Quezada added, “Children need to be in school receiving instruction from caring professional educators like our Yonkers teachers, pupil support professionals, support staff and administrators. Parents, students and teachers control access to this valuable time in school. Everyone needs to work together with school administrators to prioritize attendance so our students are ready to learn every day.”
Mayor Spano challenged the students of Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, urging them to sign the pledge and promised to return in June and give a pizza party to the students who achieve a perfect attendance during the 2022-2023 academic school year.
