The beginning of the school year is always an exciting time, and I wish nothing but the best for our students and our educators as the year progresses. This has always been my favorite time of the year, welcoming students, educators and staff back into the buildings, filled with joy and the passion to learn.

One of the top priorities for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), as you may have already seen, is addressing chronic absenteeism. We want all students to feel that school is a welcoming and supportive place for them to learn and grow.

Robbie Fletcher

Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher

Kentucky’s public school educators help students learn the skills they will need to find success in their life, and that’s why KDE is All In for keeping Kentucky’s kids in the classroom and on their path to success.

As the school year begins, you will notice our chronic absenteeism campaign ramping up again with a new slogan: You Belong!

This message is being featured on TV, billboards, streaming services, public transit and event venues such as Rupp Arena and the Yum Center. The campaign features messaging about how when a student misses school, they miss more than lessons, they miss connection with their school community and building their future.

KDE also provides resources on the Attendance Matters chronic absenteeism webpage for families, community members and educators. Guidelines for parents on when to keep your child home due to an illness, steps communities can take and other information to help promote attendance in schools are just a few of the many helpful resources available on the webpage.

I have seen so many wonderful, engaging things happening in classrooms across the state over the past year as commissioner. But we know that if our students aren’t in the classroom today, we can’t help them learn the skills they’ll need for tomorrow. Thank you to all of the district leaders that have already made great strides combating chronic absenteeism in their own communities and thank you for all that you do in making our students excited to learn and helping them feel they belong in your buildings and classrooms.