Attendance has been a problem for school districts across New Mexico, especially for APS. Now, a new initiative is making sure students are going to class.
Just a little over two weeks into the school year, COVID-19 has been confirmed at about half of the schools in the state’s largest district, although officia.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to dealing with chronic absenteeism, which in itself can be multifaceted.
“It’s not typically one thing that causes chronic absenteeism. That’s why when we work with schools we try to define the root causes,” said Kristine Meurer, executive director for APS’ Student, Family and Community Supports Division.
Doctor appointments and illness are common, as are transportation issues, family obligations, tribal obligations or matters related to teen pregnancy. Also, when a family has to move from apartment to apartment, parents forget to withdraw their children, she said.
And when parents call the school attendance office, they are not required to provide details or give a reason, Meurer said.
PICTURED: Five victims of deadly New Mexico hot air balloon crash as it emerges school principal killed in disaster was gifted trip as a bucket list experience by her colleagues
New Mexico State Police identified the pilot as Nicholas Meleski, 62, and the four passengers as Susan Montoya, 65, John Montoya, 61, Mary Martinez, 59, and Martin Martinez, 62
All victims were from Albuquerque and had ties to the local school district
Susan Montoya was an assistant principal at Georgia O Keefe Elementary School and planned to move to another school next year
Susan s coworkers gifted her the balloon ride as a bucket list experience to send her off on her new job