WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — The Miami Trace Local School District recently held an Attendance Awareness Poster Contest to promote consistent attendance and success in students.

The winners of the Miami Trace Attendance Awareness Poster Contest were announced as: Kate Gullett – sixth grade, Lila Krupla – second grade, Isaac Matthews – fifth grade, and Caleb Wilt – 12th grade.

These talented students were honored at the Miami Trace Board of Education meeting on Monday evening.

Sixth grader, Lila Krupla was in attendance at the meeting, and had the opportunity to be announced in front of staff with a Panther Spotlight certificate. Krupla was recognized for her creativity and hard work put into the poster she submitted for the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest.

The importance of student attendance has been on the rise nationwide, as it significantly influences physical, social-emotional, and mental well-being. At Miami Trace, the top priority is the safety, overall well-being, and success of the students, which is why the school district is wholeheartedly dedicated to promoting excellent attendance, according to district officials.

In 2021, as part of the District Strategic Plan, Miami Trace established a District Attendance Committee comprised of 13 individuals. The committee includes two students, a building principal, four assistant principals, an attendance secretary, four teachers, and a student services coordinator. Their mission: to develop strategies and action steps that foster a culture of high attendance expectations.

Throughout the year, the committee conducts extensive research and meets regularly to review current attendance data at Miami Trace. They also brainstorm ideas and incentives aimed at encouraging students to prioritize good attendance.

The committee began planning an Attendance Awareness Month Campaign at the start of summer and launched it for the month of October with the slogan, “Your Future Starts With Being Here Today.” According to the committee, this campaign aims to highlight the undeniable correlation between good attendance and student success, both academically and personally.

For the month of October, the committee focused on messaging and student engagement. To spread the word, banners and yard signs were strategically placed throughout the community. Additionally, nationwide data and facts regarding student attendance, along with tips for families, were shared on social media and digital boards at all home events.

To engage students directly, the committee organized a district-wide Attendance Awareness Poster Contest. Students of all grade levels were given a week to create artwork that conveyed the importance of school attendance. Meanwhile, students in kindergarten through second grade participated in a coloring contest. Out of hundreds of submissions, the committee selected one winner from each school building and one coloring contest winner from grades K-2. The winning artwork will be enlarged and printed on banners displayed in front of each school building.

The Miami Trace Athletic Boosters graciously provided prizes for the winners. The middle school and high school winners each received a $50 Amazon gift card. The two elementary school winners earned a pizza party with their homeroom class at the board office with Miami Trace Superintendent Kim Pittser and Assistant Superintendent Rob Enochs.

According to Kylie Lanman, student services & operations coordinator, “Good attendance is crucial for a child’s personal and academic growth, along with mental, social, emotional, and physical health. It would be irresponsible of us not to address the attendance crisis that is plaguing our country and community.”

“It is our hope that through Attendance Awareness Month, we were able to inform and engage our students and families in a way that continues to encourage and improve student attendance,” said Lanman. She added, “we cannot do this without family and community support. So we say thank you to our school community – staff, students, and families – for your continued dedication to making sure our Panthers reach their full potential.”