KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s a message for kids and adults alike: stay in class. Kansas City is trying to stop chronic absenteeism.
A child spends the first few years of school learning to read, so they can later read to learn.
The initiative focuses on 10 different elementary schools in the district, and the children in those schools who are at risk of becoming chronically absent.
On Monday at the downtown library, in the children’s section, Mayor Sly James announced a new partnership.
Turn the Page KC and Big Brothers Big Sisters of greater Kansas City are teaming up.
The organizations are matching adult volunteers with children in kindergarten through third grade who are at-risk of chronic absenteeism.
In other words, students who miss 10% or more total days during the school year. The volunteers will serve as tutors and mentors.
To kick start the initiative, five businesses have committed to lending volunteers from their organizations. Anyone else who is interested is also welcome to volunteer.
