MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES NEW YORK YANKEES HOST STUDENTS FOR SECOND ANNUAL "ATTENDANCE ALL-STAR" GAME TO COMBAT ABSENTEEISM As Part of Mayor's "Every Student, Every Day" Campaign, Yankees Celebrate 200 Students with Most Improved Attendance Records During Tonight's Pre-Game Ceremony Mark Teixeira, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain All Went to Bat for "Every Student, Every Day"
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the New York Yankees will again join the City's campaign to combat truancy and chronic absenteeism in public schools and will honor 200 students with the most improved attendance at tonight's 2011-2012 Yankees Attendance All-Star Ceremony. Students, their parents and special guests will be honored during a pre-game ceremony tonight at Yankee Stadium. The Attendance All-Star Ceremony is an initiative of the Mayor's Task Force on Truancy, Chronic Absenteeism & School Engagement and was launched as part of "Every Student, Every Day" - the campaign to reduce chronic absenteeism. The Yankees provided more than 400 tickets as part of the incentive challenge for students in the program's 50 pilot schools and homeless shelters. Tonight's honorees will be joined by Schools Chancellor Dennis W. Walcott; Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond and Leslie Cornfeld, Chair of the Mayor's Interagency Task Force.
"The Yankees have helped our kids step up to the plate and greatly improve their records," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Through 'Every Student, Every Day,' we are reducing truancy and providing our children with the support they need to succeed."
"Congratulations to all 50 schools and their students for showing a true commitment to education and staying on track for college and careers," said Chancellor Walcott. "Their improved attendance is a testament both to their hard work and to the success of our campaign to reduce chronic absenteeism. We are honored to join the Yankees in celebrating these students' achievements, and to highlight our continuing effort to keep New York City's students in the classroom so that they receive the best education possible."
"Chronic absenteeism is a signal that something is wrong in a student's life, and is predictive of poor academic, and life outcomes, including poor school performance and likelihood of dropping out, said John Feinblatt, the Mayor's Chief Policy Advisor. "Today we are honoring those students with outstanding attendance and who were chronically absent in the past, and have turned themselves around -- putting themselves on track for success in school, and in life."
"Today we see the true signs of success-the students who are performing strong in school each and every day," said Commissioner Diamond. "We have changed the culture of attendance in shelter, working hands on with parents to get their children to school every day and partnering with the Department of Education to learn more about those families that need assistance. Today, we congratulate and celebrate those students who are leading the pack in attendance, and look towards their bright futures of achievement."
"We know that high school disengagement and drop out begins long before high school - when students start missing far too many days for school, putting themselves on the path to poor academic outcomes," said Leslie Cornfeld, Chair of the Mayor's Interagency Task Force on Truancy, Chronic Absenteeism & School Engagement. "The Yankees' partnership has helped us amplify our efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism, and ensure that all students are on track for success."
"The New York Yankees are honored to partner with the Mayor and the Chancellor to enhance the educational experience for public school students throughout the five boroughs of New York City," said Brian Smith, Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate/Community Relations. "We are proud supporters of the Every Student Every Day and Wake Up NYC campaigns and are excited to participate in the efforts associated with putting local youth in a position to excel in the classroom. We look forward to recognizing these students for their 2011- 12 school year achievements during tonight's pregame on-field ceremony at Yankee Stadium."
"Macy's is proud to have supported the Mayor's 'Every Student, Every Day' campaign," said Martine Reardon, Macy's Chief Marketing Officer. "The financial support and incentive programs we created for schools have positively impacted thousands of young people across the five boroughs. We are pleased to have been a part of boosting attendance and academic achievement, and ensuring that New York City schools remain a springboard for success."
In addition to their support through Attendance All-Stars, the Yankees are also core partners in Mayor Bloomberg's WakeUp! NYC multimedia campaign that the Task Force launched last year. Athletes, celebrities and other influential voices - including Mark Teixeira, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and others like Magic Johnson, and John Legend - record inspirational WakeUp! messages that are sent each morning to tens of thousands of City public through an automated call system. The Yankees also broadcast the Mayor's anti-truancy messages and a Call-to-Action for parents and students on the JumboTron at home games, urging all New Yorkers to spread the word about the importance of school attendance every day.
About 20 percent of all City school students - over 200,000 students - missed one month of school or more in the 2010-2011 school year. Research shows that three out of four students who are chronically absent in the sixth grade never graduate from high school. In New York City, more than 79 percent of children in the juvenile justice system had missed a month or more of school; 40 percent had missed two or more months. Absenteeism rates are highest in low- income communities, where school offers students the best opportunity for future success.
