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Challenge 5

Strive for Less than 5 Days Absent at School

The Challenge 5 initiative encourages Quad Cities students to “Strive for Less than 5” absences this school year (UW INSERT HOW).  
 
Quad Cities school districts, the Arconic Foundation and United Way rallied around this after considering the following data: 
  • More than five absences each school year begins to have an effect on the student's ability to learn.  
  • When a child misses eighteen days (10%) of school, it increases the risk of dropping out and decreases the chance of graduating from high school.
 
Last year, 19,681 Quad Cities students missed nine or more days of school. Absenteeism rates improved that year with 39.2 percent of Quad Cities students missing nine or more days of school, compared to 39.4 percent the previous year.
 
Watch a video about the Challenge 5 program below:

 

5 Tips

  1. Set a regular bedtime.
  2. Prep clothes and backpacks the night before.
  3. Only keep children home if they are truly sick.
  4. Have a back-up plan for getting to school.
  5. Avoid scheduling doctor’s appointments and trips during school hours.
Questions? Contact Alex Kolker at 563.344.0339.