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.
