VCUSD Celebrates National Attendance Awareness Month

VALLEJO, Calif. - At Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD), September is more than just the start of a new school year; it's National Attendance Awareness Month, a time to focus on the crucial role that showing up plays in every student's academic success. This year's theme, 'Show Up,' is a reminder of our unwavering commitment to supporting students, families, and the community in promoting regular school attendance.

We know that consistent attendance is the foundation for learning. Students attend school daily, gain knowledge, build skills, and develop relationships that will help shape their future. Research has shown that students who regularly attend school are more likely to perform well academically, graduate on time, and pursue higher education or a successful career. On the other hand, chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days—can have lasting consequences, including lower test scores, disengagement, and an increased likelihood of dropping out.

"When students show up, they open the door to opportunities,” VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said. “Every day matters. Every moment in the classroom is a step towards achieving their goals. The VCUSD community is committed to ensuring that each student feels supported, welcomed, and empowered to show up for themselves and their future.”

National Attendance Awareness Month is a chance to reflect on students' challenges when attending school regularly. Transportation issues, health concerns, family responsibilities, or feelings of disconnection from peers or teachers can all affect absenteeism. VCUSD is working closely with families to identify these barriers and provide the necessary resources to overcome them via our child welfare and attendance liaisons, mental health support providers, bilingual community liaisons, parent liaisons, parent partnership liaisons, McKinney-Vento and foster youth counselor, positive youth justice initiative liaison and academic support providers. The district's attendance initiative includes outreach programs, partnerships with local organizations, and targeted interventions to ensure every student can attend school regularly.

The “Show Up” theme is a call to action for everyone. Parents and guardians, teachers and staff, and the wider community, including local businesses, organizations, and government, all play a crucial role in promoting regular school attendance. Your support is invaluable in our mission to ensure every student can attend school regularly.

This month, VCUSD is hosting events and assemblies to spread awareness and inspire students to take pride in showing up for school. Each day they walk into their classrooms, they are building the habits and mindset of a lifelong learner, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of the world.

"Show Up" is more than just a theme—it’s a mindset, a promise, and a commitment. As we celebrate National Attendance Awareness Month, let's all work together to support our students in showing up daily because their future depends on it. Let's all remember the power of these two words and commit to living by them every day.