September 1, 2023 September is Attendance Awareness Month Attendance Awareness Month, designated by the Attendance Awareness Campaign, returns in September to advocate the message that every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and access support. The theme of 2023’s Attendance Awareness Campaign is “Showing Up Together!“, which speaks to the importance of joining together to address the devastating effects of interrupted learning and increased economic stress. About the Attendance Awareness Campaign Through the Attendance Awareness Campaign, schools, localities, and states are urged to promote the value of good attendance and to take concrete steps toward reducing chronic absence. Regular attendance is vital for student success. When students attend regularly, starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, they have an opportunity to achieve academically and thrive. This year’s campaign focuses on the positive conditions for learning, which have degraded during the pandemic, that can help students and their families to engage and show up for school, especially during challenging moments. There is also an emphasis on students feeling emotionally and physically safe, connected and supported, and instilling belief that students can learn and achieve when attending school. Research shows that when students are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school. The Attendance Awareness Campaign suggests considering the following key messages to help improve attendance, connection, and achievement: Respond to absences with care and support, not blame. Building trusting relationships that promote belonging is fundamental to improving student attendance and engagement. Students are more likely to engage in learning and attend school if they feel safe, connected and supported. A positive, problem-solving approach driven by data will improve attendance. Supporting the health and well-being of students, families and school staff improves attendance When the whole community collaborates with families and schools, we can overcome systemic barriers to attendance and engagement.. For more information about how to get involved, attendance resources, messaging, and professional development opportunities, visit the Attendance Works website. Attendance Awareness Month Campaign Resources Count Us In! Toolkit 2023 Handouts for Families Nurturing Everyday Attendance For Our Youngest Students Recognizing Attendance: Tips for Educators Equity-Driven Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absence 2023 Attendance Awareness Month Campaign Webinars Toolkit to Help Schools Protect Students From Losing Medicaid Coverage, Health Schools Campaign Related Content & Resources Too Small To Fail Seeks Caregivers for Family Advisory Board Free Breakfast Offered for the 2023-24 School Year Report: State of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania The State of Preschool 2022 Annual Report
August 28, 2023 Resources for September Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for September observances: Month-Long Observances Attendance Awareness Month Attendance Awareness Campaign 2023, Attendance Works Key Research: Why Attendance Matters for Achievement and How Interventions Can Help, Attendance Works Baby Safety Month (BSM) Organizations Publish New Child Safety and Development Resources for Families and Educators, Trying Together Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources, Trying Together Directory for Emergency and Safety Services, Trying Together Recalls on Children’s Products, Trying Together Baby Safety Month Safety Tips, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) 5 Tips for New Parents During Baby Safety Month, SafeKids.org Childhood Cancer Awareness Month What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Free Resources from the American Childhood Cancer Organization, American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) Are There Disparities in Childhood Cancer?, New York State Department of Health Childhood Cancers, NIH National Cancer Institute Facts About Childhood Cancer, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Participate in a 2023 September Childhood Cancer Awareness Event, Children’s Cancer Cause National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families: The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together Parents and Caregivers Can Help Prevent Obesity and Support Healthy Growth, U.S. Department of Agriculture TOOLKIT: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 Things Families Can Do, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Help Your Child Stay at a Healthy Weight, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Newborn Screening Awareness Month Newborn Screening Portal, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) What is Newborn Screening?, Baby’s First Test Newborn Screening Tests for Your Baby, March of Dimes (MoD) About Newborn Screening, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Weeks of Recognition September 17 – 23 was Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week Car Seat Safety for Children, Trying Together Car Seats and Booster Seats Overview, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safe Kids Worldwide Car Seat Guide Videos, Safe Kids Worldwide Boost Your Child Passenger Safety Knowledge and Skills Trainings, National Child Passenger Safety Board All Children are Pedestrians! Prevention Tips and Recent Statistics, Children’s Safety Network at Education Development Center Days of Recognition September 6 was National Read a Book Day Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Trying Together Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success, Trying Together Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together Children’s Books About Transitions, Trying Together Children’s Books About Mental Health, Trying Together September 26 was National Family Day Family Engagement Toolkit, Trying Together Family Guide: Family Dynamics, Trying Together Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Development: A Guide for Families, Trying Together Family Transitions and Routines: Resources, Trying Together Trying Together Releases Family Resources in Spanish, Trying Together Grandfamily Tip Sheets Provide Information on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health, Trying Together Navigating Sibling Relationships, Psychology Today Foster and Adoptive Families: Supportive Strategies, PennState Better Kid Care Blended Family and Step-Parenting Tips, HelpGuide.org Keeping in Touch With Family Can Help Keep You Healthy, WebMD.com Healthy Communication in Stepfamilies, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC) Get to Know Your Stepkids, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC)
September 19, 2022 September is Attendance Awareness Month September is Attendance Awareness Month. Attendance Awareness Month is designated by the Attendance Awareness Campaign – led by Attendance Works and 10 national partners – which broadcasts the message that every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and access support. About the Attendance Awareness Campaign Through the Attendance Awareness Campaign, schools, localities, and states are urged to promote the value of good attendance and to take concrete steps toward reducing chronic absence. The theme for 2022’s campaign is “Stay Connected, Keep Learning!” Regular attendance is vital for student success. When students attend regularly, starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, they have an opportunity to achieve academically and thrive. Research shows that when students are chronically absent, (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school and graduate from high school. Over two years into the pandemic, chronic absence has nearly tripled. The Attendance Awareness Campaign suggests considering the following key messages to help improve attendance, connection, and achievement: Reducing chronic absence can help address educational inequity. Building trusting relationships that promote belonging is fundamental to improving student attendance and engagement. Students are more likely to attend school if they feel safe, connected and supported. A positive, problem-solving approach driven by data will improve attendance. Supporting students, families and school staff physically and emotionally improves attendance. When the whole community collaborates with families and schools, we can overcome systemic barriers to attendance and engagement. For more information about how to get involved, attendance resources, messaging, and professional development opportunities, visit the Attendance Works website.
