Proclamaiton_Attendance Awareness Month (3rd Grad Reading Program)
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation, and we are committed
to dedicating our resources and attention to reducing chronic absenteeism rates, with a
focus starting as early as kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, chronic absence – missing 10 percent or more of school for any reason including excused
and unexcused absences, or just two of three days a month – is a proven predictor of
academic trouble and dropout rates; while improving attendance and reducing chronic
absence takes commitment, collaboration and tailored approaches to particular challenges
and strengths in each community; and
WHEREAS, chronic absence predicts lower third-grade reading proficiency, course failure and eventual
dropout, it weakens our communities and our local economy; and
WHEREAS, the impact of chronic absence hits low-income students and children of color particularly
hard if they don’t have the resources to make up for lost time in the classroom and are more
likely to face systemic barriers to getting to school – such as unreliable transportation, lack
of access to health care, unstable or unaffordable housing; 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:
Specifically we will:
1. Raise public awareness and concern about the toxic impact of chronic absence; and
2. Encourage broad, community engagement and sustained civic action to help parents
get their children to school every day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY D. BUOL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, ON BEHALF OF THE
CITY COUNCIL, STAFF AND CITIZENS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF
SEPTEMBER 2013 AS
“ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH”
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to be
affixed this 5th day of August, 2013.
________________________________
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk
2013: Submitted and accepted by Nicole Yockey, AmeriCorps VISTA Attendance Coordinator,
Dubuque’s Campaign for Third Grade Reading, nyuockey@dbqschools.org Dubuque Community
School District, 2300 Chaney Road.