Attendance dropped after COVID-19. Bellingham schools got creative to keep kids in class

Bellingham schools are actively addressing the drop in student attendance that followed the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing innovative solutions. For instance, students like Olga Tsakhniv benefit from online language arts classes in a quiet office setting, which reduces distractions and helps improve focus. Attendance statistics reveal a troubling decline, with only 65. 1% of students showing regular attendance in the 2022-23 school year, compared to 84. 2% in the year before the pandemic.

Mental health experts note that the pandemic exacerbated anxiety in students, making the return to in-person schooling particularly challenging. To combat this trend, school administrators are promoting the idea that students can attend school even when they have minor ailments, reversing previous health-focused messaging. However, parents express uncertainty about when to keep their children home, given the heightened awareness of health risks in schools. This ongoing struggle reflects a broader societal challenge as schools work to reintegrate students into consistent in-person learning. The article emphasizes the importance of regular attendance for long-term academic success and the multifaceted efforts being made to achieve it.