By MATT PIKE

St. Joseph Post

The St. Joseph School District feels it is in a better position than it has been in some time in the ongoing battle of students attending school.

Superintendent Gabe Edgar believes that the early learning program has helped with attendance in the early grades

“If you go back and you look at historical data, four to five years ago Kindergarten was our worst attendance by far in some buildings,” Edgar tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “Kindergarten is a lot better today than it was a year ago, so is first grade.”

Edgar says having those structures in place from an early age helps in terms of attendance.

Assistant Superintendent of Academic and Education Services Ashley McGinnis says several elementary schools are above 90 percent attendance, with some very close to that mark, with the middle schools shy of that mark as well

McGinnis says it’s the high schools that have seen the most challenge with getting students to come everyday

“In the past I know we’ve focused a lot on giving incentives and doing gift card drawings and things of that nature, but what we’re finding out is the research shows we really need parents involved and engaged with education to get kids to come to school,” McGinnis explains. “So that’s been a huge focus this year.”

McGinnis says one factor is trying to get back to normalcy following COVID, something that’s taken longer than the district hoped

“There were patterns and habits created during that time where if a child had a headache or a runny nose that we would just keep them home as a precautionary measure, and getting out of those bad habits and sending kids to school and allowing a nurse to examine the child before they are sent back home,” McGinnis says. “I think getting back into those routines.”

McGinnis says a relationship with the Buchanan County Prosecuting attorney and the juvenile office has been helpful but feels there is a better success rate when building relationships with families.