WHEREAS, good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined that missing 10 percent or more of school for any reason, is a proven predicator of academic problems and increased dropout rates; and

WHEREAS, when schools, families and communities work together to provide young people with early intervention services, chronic absenteeism can be reduced; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to raise awareness about chronic absenteeism so that all young people, their families, and the community can understand the disadvantages of not attending school; and

WHEREAS, the District of Columbia government is dedicated to reducing chronic absenteeism rates starting as early as pre-kindergarten:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, do hereby proclaim September 2016, in Washington, DC, as "ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH".

Muriel Bowser