Chronic absenteeism may be the biggest problem facing Pittsburgh Public Schools and other urban districts. Last year in Pittsburgh, 32% of students were chronically absent, missing 18 or more days of school.
The start of school is just a few weeks away, and the organization A+ Schools is making sure kids in the Arlington neighborhood make it to class. They’re trying to remove any hurdles, bringing backpacks with school supplies to the parents of incoming kindergartners and going door-to-door offering assistance with transportation, food or clothing to ensure steady attendance this year.
“Today is about bridging that gap, going and knocking on doors, letting folks know about what’s available at the school to help them out,” said James Fogarty with A+ Schools…