Johnston County Students Invited To Enter Attendance Poster Contest

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – Preschool and elementary students across Johnston County are being invited to help spread the message that showing up for school matters.

Read to Grow Johnston County has announced its fifth annual Attendance Awareness Month Poster Contest for students in preschool through fifth grade.

The contest coincides with September being recognized locally as Attendance Awareness Month.

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved the designation Aug. 3. The proclamation was presented by Allison Boyd, chair of the Partnership for Children Board, on behalf of the Attendance Action Team, and signed by Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David Pearce.

Students entering the poster contest are asked to create artwork focused on the importance of regular school attendance.

Entries will be judged on theme, design and creativity. Winning posters will be featured on Read to Grow’s social media pages and displayed at the students’ schools. Winners will also receive a gift pack.

Homeschool, charter and private school students are also eligible to participate.

Organizers say the contest is intended to raise awareness about chronic absenteeism, generally defined as missing 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days.

Read to Grow said repeated absences can have long-term effects, particularly for younger students learning to read and for older students trying to stay on track academically.

Chronic absenteeism has been a concern in Johnston County since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the organization.

Read to Grow pointed to recent improvements at Benson Elementary and Selma Elementary as examples of progress.

Both schools were recently recognized as AttendNC Bright Spots for reductions in chronic absenteeism over the past five years.

Benson Elementary recorded a 51.7 percent reduction, while Selma Elementary reduced chronic absenteeism by 41.6 percent, according to Read to Grow.

The Attendance Action Team said addressing the issue requires cooperation among schools, families, community organizations and local leaders, particularly when students face transportation, health or other barriers that keep them out of class.

Read to Grow Johnston County includes representatives from local schools, businesses, faith organizations, families, the Partnership for Children of Johnston County and the Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County.

Contest details are also available on the Read to Grow JoCo Facebook page.