Many people call into radio stations throughout the day for a chance at winning a ticket to a sporting event or concert.

Administrators in the Toledo Public Schools are hoping the chance to win a ticket or gift card will encourage parents to make sure their child goes to school daily.

On Thursday, the district kicked off its Let’s Make Every Day Count attendance competition at Oakdale Elementary School in East Toledo.

Between now and the end of the school year, students in TPS schools are being offered incentives such as gas and grocery cards, tickets to sporting events, and other prizes just for being in attendance.

Heather Baker, TPS executive director of community engagement and student supports, said the district, through the generosity of its district partners, is able to incentivize positive attendance and encourage students to get to school daily and on time.

“TPS is hoping to continue its trend of reducing chronic absenteeism and outpacing other Urban 8 districts,” Ms. Baker said. “This new initiative starts right on time as the district begins testing on March 24. There will be weekly drawings of incentives for parents and students.”

For the 2023/2024 school year, TPS had a 41.4 percent chronic absenteeism rate, according to Ms. Baker. The rate represents a 10 percent drop since the 2021-2022 school year, she said. In comparison, Youngstown had a 58.6 percent chronic absenteeism rate, followed by Columbus (54.2), Cleveland (51.5), and Dayton (45).

“With testing starting next week, we want to make sure the kids are here and have what they need to succeed,” Ms. Baker said. “This competition is in all of the schools. Every student who improves their attendance is eligible to win a prize.”

The competition will continue through May, Ms. Baker said.

Oakdale Principal Robert Yenrick said attendance is important on many levels.

“It is critical for social and emotional child development,” Mr. Yenrick said. “It is also important when we are trying to build a relationship with the student and the family. It is critical to get our kids here daily.”

Mr. Yenrick said Oakdale has a 35 percent chronic absenteeism rate. Chronic absenteeism is defined as when a student misses 15 or more days in the school year because of an absence of any reason, he said.

“We want to help families be able to help their kids reach their dreams,” he said. “Our community is phenomenal and works with us. East Toledo is a place to come and make a difference in kids’ lives. We want kids to know that anything is possible. We have businesses and churches here that help to meet the needs of families here. We also have wraparound resources at Oakdale as well.

Ms. Baker said the district is trying to get the absenteeism level down but is still grappling with issues including the aftermath of the pandemic.

“We are still dealing with the trauma of COVID,” Ms. Baker said. “Other issues include transportation problems as well as housing, food, and clothing insecurity.”

The district currently has 21,000-plus students, Ms. Baker said. Approximately 1,803 students are identified as homeless.

The district does have a team that works with homeless students and their families, Ms. Baker said.

“The team helps them with food, clothing, enrolling in a school, and with food,” she said. “We connect them with agencies that can also help find them housing. Our community partners are the best. Toledo just rocks when it comes to helping people.”

“There is a huge correlation between attendance and success,” Mr. Yenrick said. “There is a lot of social and emotional learning as well. If a kid is homeless, we have services to help them, but we have to know about it in order to help.”

Ms. Baker said with an increase in positive attendance and the reduction of chronic absenteeism, the district will definitely see an improvement in the state report cards.

“With chronic absenteeism, the lower the score, the better,” she said. “We are doing well, but want to do even better. We need kids to be in school so we understand where they are academically. We need to see their growth and where they may need additional help. We are committed to reducing chronic absenteeism.”

First Published March 20, 2025, 6:28 p.m.