By: Michelle Jones, Follow South Jersey Corresponding Writer
SALEM, N.J. – John Fenwick Academy held an attendance dinner on for the entire school body on Friday, March 14, to discuss the importance of students being in school every day.
The dinner was a coordinated effort between school administration, teachers, staff, as well as gift and food donors. Families got to enjoy a delicious home cooked meal, and the families were given the opportunity to participate in a gift/bike raffle as well. It was explained to the families that any student who missed six days of school or less would be invited to other incentive opportunities like the upcoming bowling party scheduled for March 20-21.
Chronic absenteeism has become a new trend post covid and continues to be a problem nationwide. Missing 10% of the school year (18 days) is considered a chronic issue leaving school officials to figure out plans on how to increase attendance rates. The reasons for high absenteeism range from issues such as bus districts versus walking districts (especially in colder states), family trauma due to a variety of issues, medical conditions, and according to the New York times, the attitude about school, quite frankly, has become optional.
But for Principal Syeda Carter that is not acceptable, and it is her goal to increase attendance in her school by supporting those families who make it a priority to get their children to school, on time, everyday. Incentive dinners, bike and basket giveaways, fun field trips and school family fellowship is making an impact throughout her school community. But to make the dinner even more special, the school teachers came together to stay after school and serve the dinner to the families, while also fellowshipping with them. And for their students, that makes the dinner even more special.
It isn’t only the principal and teachers that want to help. Parents are motivated as well. There is a bike bus brigade being considered where parents and students ride their bikes to stops to join other students to encourage attendance as well as healthy living. Churches such as the First Baptist Church of Salem and local organizations such as Hopeloft that help by contributing gifts and/or food to these events, so that the community at large can encourage our youth to have the best educational experience possible.
Once again, a Salem City community effort led by Principal Carter is making an impactful difference in the city.
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