News

At Tulsa Public Schools, we believe that building good attendance habits early is essential to setting our students up for success.

Attendance is the number one predictor of whether a student will drop out of school, and the likelihood of a student dropping out increases more than 2 times for every year of chronic absenteeism.

It's because of this that McKinley Elementary School places a huge emphasis on student attendance, and they are seeing amazing results!

Principal Lynette Dixon said, "If the students aren't here, they cannot succeed."

And McKinley students are showing up.

Last year, attendance was at 94.1%. McKinley wanted to see what number grow and set a goal to have attendance increase to 95.5%. It's currently at 95.6%.

To motivate students to continue their good attendance habits, these goals and numbers are posted throughout the school. McKinley also has an attendance committee that meets bi-weekly to discuss ways to continue growth.

Principal Dixon believes their attendance has increased because of the joy that fills the school.

"In the morning, we greet our students with warm smiles, handshakes, and hugs."

This, she believes, provides a sense of family and takes everybody being efficient and willing to commit to the cause.

Teachers aren't assigned to report to class until 7:00 in the morning, but most show up early to assist with greeting students.

"We know if the students are here they will be able to receive the quality education that we give," Principal Dixon said.

Students are greeted at the front of the building with a hug and inspiring and encouraging messages like "you're beautiful" and "you are smart."

With these positive and encouraging words, McKinley students are motivated to have perfect attendance, like Vicente Perez.

"I have perfect attendance because the teachers are awesome and I want to get smarter. I've been here since pre-K and ever since then, I felt good about coming to school every day," he said.

As the day at McKinley continues, a brief Rise and Shine assembly is held in the school's gym by alternating classes. During these daily assemblies, positive and important messages are delivered to the students. These brief assemblies ensure instructional time is not interfered with and give students more positive motivation. Once the assembly is over, students go to their classes where they are greeted with more handshakes and hugs.

To make sure they are doing everything they can to help their students achieve 100% attendance, McKinley has plans of action in place to prevent chronic tardiness or consecutive absences. If a student has missed two consecutive days of instruction, a call is made to that student's family to ensure things are well. Students with three consecutive days of absence are reported to office staff and the school counselor.

McKinley also makes sure to recognize students with 100% attendance with intercom shoutouts, awards assemblies, and free dress opportunities. There's even a drawing at the end of the year where students with 100% attendance could win a bicycle!

But the main goal is to show students that good attendance sets them up for success, something perfect attendance student Briana Vasquez already understands.

"I have perfect attendance because I like to see my teachers and friends. I like to get a good education so that I can get into a good school."

For more information on how to create good attendance habits early, visit our Attendance Matters page.