Community Consolidated School District 21 is proud to launch its new Attendance Matters initiative, aimed at promoting consistent school attendance and supporting students and families in building strong attendance habits that lead to long-term academic and personal success.
Attendance is a critical component of student achievement, and research shows that students regularly attending school are more likely to perform better academically, build stronger peer relationships, and develop important life skills. Through the Attendance Matters initiative, District 21 is emphasizing the importance of being present – every day, on time, and ready to learn.
“Every minute of instruction counts, and we want our students to know that showing up matters — not just for today, but for their future,” said Dr. Michael Connolly, superintendent of schools. “This initiative is about removing barriers, providing support, and reinforcing the message that we’re all in this together to help our students thrive.”
The initiative includes a variety of efforts to engage and support students and families, including:
- School-wide and classroom-level attendance incentives to celebrate students with consistent or improved attendance;
- Monthly recognition programs for students and classrooms demonstrating strong attendance;
- Targeted support for chronically absent students, including home visits, wellness check-ins, and problem-solving conferences;
- Family engagement nights to raise awareness about the importance of attendance and share strategies for overcoming barriers;
- Daily attendance monitoring by school teams, with quick outreach when patterns of absenteeism emerge;
- Multilingual communication and resources to ensure all families have access to attendance information and support; and
- Partnerships with community agencies to provide families with wraparound support like transportation, clothing, and mental health services.
District 21 encourages families to partner with us in this effort by establishing daily routines, scheduling appointments outside of school hours when possible, and staying in close communication with school staff.
As part of this effort, District 21 is also seeking to build strong partnerships with local businesses and community organizations. Vendors, retailers, and service providers are invited to support the initiative by sponsoring student incentives, donating goods or services, or collaborating on school and community events. These partnerships not only strengthen our schools, but also foster a broader culture of community investment in student success.
“Attendance is a team effort, and we’re here to support every student, every day,” added Dr. Alyssa Shapiro, director of multi-tiered systems of support. “When students are present, they’re positioned for success — and we want to celebrate every step forward.”
For more information about the Attendance Matters initiative, please visit the Attendance Procedures website, or contact our attendance liaisons Bohdana Andrusyk at [email protected] or Elsa Skowronski at [email protected].
CCSD21
EMPOWERING EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY
