Challenge 5

Strive for Less than 5 Days Absent at School

On any given day, some students are missing school.
They might be sick, couldn’t get a ride, or maybe mom and dad scheduled a vacation.
It doesn’t matter if absences are back to back, far apart, unexcused, or excused.
Missing a day adds up quickly.

Missing 18 days of school per year makes a child chronically absent.

• More than 8 in 10 chronically absent kindergartners and first graders will not read at grade level by the end of third grade.
• 2 out of 3 chronically absent sixth graders will never graduate high school.

Quad Cities School Districts and United Way are teaming up for the Challenge 5 initiative. 

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.