Woodland Joint Unified School District announces top schools with most improved attendance for May

By Carlos Guerrero on June 23, 2024

As part of its "Every Day Counts" student attendance campaign, Woodland Joint Unified School District recognized the top three schools with the most improved student attendance for May, the last full month of school.

According to a WJUSD press release, the top three schools with the most improved student attendance for May were Spring Lake Elementary School, Whitehead Elementary School and Pioneer High School. Each winning school received an "Every Day Counts" banner to display and will have a DJ play at their school as a reward next school year.

"We are proud of our Whitehead scholars for their improved attendance this last month of school and for joining us for the final days of instruction, state testing, and celebrating and reflecting on a great school year," stated Whitehead Elementary School Principal Alison Evert Monga. "Every school day is so important and we're glad each day you are here!"

Spring Lake Elementary School Principal thanked families for their support in improving attendance.

"Our staff have been working diligently communicating with students and families to support positive attendance, so we were thrilled to find out we had won the improved attendance banner for May!," Falconer said. "We thank our families for partnering with us and for their commitment to this campaign. Every day (and every kid) counts!"

While Every Day Counts is a districtwide campaign, each school uses various strategies for improving attendance, including their schools' attendance liaisons and attendance specialists playing a key role.

"My main responsibility is making sure that students are attending school," said Francisco Bautista, an attendance liaison at Whitehead Elementary School. "I try to figure out why they're missing school and how we can best support them to ensure that they're coming to school and feeling safe and comfortable at school."

His work includes partnering with chronically absent students and their parents on attendance goals and rewarding them when they show improvement.

"I think this 'Every Day Counts' recognition is amazing," Bautista said. "It's well deserved because I know they overcame a lot of challenges to improve their attendance."

Pioneer High School Principal Sandi Reese also credited her school's attendance specialist, Angel Gomez, for being instrumental in their achievement.

Woodland Joint Unified School District Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin stands with Pioneer High School administrators after presenting the school with an improved attendance banner. (Courtesy)

"This award makes me really proud of our staff," said Reese, whose school won the banner twice in the 2023/24 school year. "At Pioneer High School attendance is an 'all hands on deck' endeavor, but our attendance specialist Angel Gomez does the most amazing job ever. It's really because of him and everyone else's hard work that we are able to do this."

Research shows that missing just two days a month of school can impact a student's academic success while coming to school each day improves academics, boosts self-esteem, and increases opportunities for college and a career.

"Congratulations to all our students, staff, and families for improving your attendance through the last month of the school year," said WJUSD Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin. "Your hard work and dedication are only going to set you up for success in the future. Have a great summer, and we'll see you for another great school year in the fall."

WJUSD originally launched the campaign in January 2023 to improve student attendance districtwide. Each month, they recognized the top schools with the most improved attendance. This school year, they added an "Every Day Counts" poster contest and invited students to create artwork highlighting the importance of daily attendance.