A constant concern among our business colleagues is that the academic achievement gap among various groups of students simply must be closed for the sake of Milwaukee’s future. One of the most basic strategies for achieving this goal is to curtain truancy - even eliminate it. Or put positively - increase attendance of all students.
That is the goal for Alliance for Attendance, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Institution (DPI) headed by State Superintendent, Libby Burmaster. Two summit meetings of these stakeholders in August and December indicate the Alliance is making progress and is having an impact on attendance.
You are needed to join in support of this Alliance by encouraging your employees who are parents to do everything possible to see that their children are in school on a daily basis.
The HCCW encourages that your HR department review your company’s “time-off” policy. It is necessary for employees to visit his/her child’s school, to meet with teachers or attend Parent/Teacher Conferences without fear of repercussion from their employer.
Finally, there are 30+ schools that have applied to the Herzfeld Foundation for a grant related to their goals for
closing the achievement gap and increasing attendance at their school. If a school achieves its goal, would your company consider sponsoring 10 children, selected by that school for their improved attendance and academic achievement, to receive some sort of summer treat? If so, please call me at (414) 643-6963.
Milwaukee is our city and its future is our future. Let’s give the Alliance – “a long pull and a strong pull and a pull altogether.” (Charles Dickens) Thank you for joining us in this most worthwhile effort.
Adelante Juntos,
Maria Monreal-Cameron
President and CEO
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