Bend-LaPine School District hosts event with Governor Kotek and Director Dr. Williams to improve school attendance
Spencer Sacks
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Class is back in session but kids are not showing up.
As of the 23-24 academic school year 33 percent of all students in the Bend-LaPine School district were considered chronically absentee.That is one in three students are constantly missing class.
The Bend-LaPine School District has decided to take action.
On Saturday, School District officials in conjunction with the Governor and Oregon department of education held a phone bank to reach out to those in the community thanking them for their continued attendance.
KTVZ News spoke with Steve Cook the Superintendent of Bend-LaPine schools to learn more about the event.
“We’re making phone calls to families of students who have just got really great attendance and these calls or to call and acknowledge and just celebrate valuing our, education process and sending kids to school,” Cook told KTVZ News. “We know that makes a big difference if kids show up. We know showing up makes all the difference. We know that to be good at school, you’ve got to be at school. So we want that for our kids.”
Over 40 Volunteers were on the phone or writing postcards to families.
Among those volunteers include Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Director of the Oregon Department of Education Doctor Charlene Williams.
KTVZ News Spoke with Doctor Williams who was excited about the event.
“In some other cases, it’s that sense of belonging and connectedness. So when we’re asking them why are you coming to school this year? They’re saying they really connect with their teachers or they really found a great peer group. They’re on the volleyball team,” Dr. Williams told KTVZ News. “Those things matter because the students don’t show up. They can’t learn. So it’s important that we take every moment to celebrate their success.”
Education is a fundamental issue in Oregon. According to State assessment, last year, only 30% of students were proficient in science, 43% were proficient in English language arts, and 31.5% were proficient in math. Officials are hopeful that as students come to class more regularly, those rates will dramatically increase.