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DISTRICT LAUNCHES iATTEND M-DCPS INITIATIVE TO STOP ABSENTEEISM IN SCHOOLS On any given day, nearly 20,000 Miami-Dade County Public Schools students are absent from school. Going to school every day is one the simplest and most important contributing factors to a child’s academic success. This is why Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and School Board Members – along with municipal leaders and community and cultural organizations - held a news conference today to launch the iAttend M-DCPS Initiative, a more aggressive and strategic approach to stemming absenteeism. “Every day that a child is in school is an opportunity to learn,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “There is a direct correlation between regular school attendance and student achievement. It’s important that parents, business and faith-based leaders, elected officials and every segment of our community join with us to stress the importance of regular school attendance. Being there every day means our students experience the joys of learning.” The initiative includes closer monitoring and reporting of student absences, calls to parents, and more direct measures including home visits, counseling and referrals to outside agencies.
Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho is joined by School Board members, community supporters, and students from Jose de Diego Middle School at the launch of the iAttend M-DCPS Attendance Initiative.
Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho leads students in a school attendance pledge: The District plans to have iAttend M-DCPS challenges in which schools will be recognized on a monthly basis for improved attendance and high attendance, including recognition for students. In addition, the Miami Marlins, Miami Dolphins, Miami HEAT, and Miami City Ballet, longtime partners of the school district, have agreed to support this initiative through targeted communications to the community. Among the partners in attendance today were: School Board Vice Chair Dr. Larry Feldman, Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Board Member Lubby Navarro, City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, City of Hialeah Council President Isis Garcia-Martinez, Miami-Dade County Council of PTA/PTSA President Joe Gebara, Urban League of Greater Miami President/CEO T. Willard Fair, Miami City Ballet Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez, Miami City Ballet Executive Director Michael Scolamiero, and Miami Marlins Senior Director of Community Outreach Angela Smith. If you would like to help, please call 305-995-3050. You can also stay informed about this initiative on social media using #iAttendMDCPS.
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