Middie Minutes Matter: Tackling Chronic Absenteeism and Promoting a Culture of Regular Attendance

Middletown City School District (MCSD) is excited to announce the launch of a new attendance campaign, Middie Minutes Matter, designed to tackle chronic absenteeism among students and promote a culture of regular attendance.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, no matter what the reason is for the absence. Missing 10% or more school hours has been identified as a significant challenge affecting student success and overall academic achievement. During the 2022-2023 school year, 44.9% of MCSD students were chronically absent.

Middie Minutes Matter is a comprehensive initiative aimed at raising awareness, engaging the community, and implementing strategies to ensure students attend school regularly.

The campaign will focus on the following key pillars:

1. Community Engagement: Middie Minutes Matter encourages active involvement from parents, guardians, educators, and community members to foster a sense of collective responsibility for student attendance.

2. Outreach: The campaign will collaborate with families and schools to create an inclusive and supportive environment, encouraging parents and caregivers to actively participate in their student's education.

3. Data-Driven Solutions: Middie Minutes Matter will leverage data to identify patterns of absenteeism and tailor interventions accordingly. This approach allows for a targeted and efficient response to the unique challenges faced by different student groups.

4. Celebrating Attendance: Recognizing and celebrating attendance is a crucial aspect of the campaign. Achievements and milestones related to attendance will be highlighted with incentives to motivate students and create a positive atmosphere around the importance of being present in school.