YONKERS, NY ~ Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Yonkers Public Schools are taking action to improve academic readiness in the city. On September 15, 2025, an assembly was held at School 5 where Mayor Spano and school officials asked a group of students in grades K-8 to participate in the Pledge 182 campaign. This initiative encourages students to commit to attending school every day and on time.

Mayor Spano emphasized the importance of education, stating that it lays the foundation for our future. He also highlighted that every missed school day is a missed opportunity for growth. "In Yonkers, we remain deeply committed to nurturing the promise within every child," said Mayor Spano. "By prioritizing school attendance, we can ensure that every student has the support and opportunity to succeed."

To increase attendance rates at School 5, Principal Dr. Jason Baez will be implementing various strategies such as monthly attendance awards, social media shoutouts for students with good attendance, class versus class challenges, and an "Attendance Wall of Fame" to showcase achievements.

Superintendent of Schools Aníbal Soler, Jr. also expressed his support for the Pledge 182 campaign, noting that Mayor Spano's leadership in promoting daily attendance sends a powerful message to students and families. "Pledge 182 reminds us that every single school day counts," said Soler. "When students commit to showing up, they build the habits and consistency that lead to stronger academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and brighter futures."

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The Yonkers Public Schools have made reducing chronic absenteeism a top priority. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason and has significant negative effects on students and the community as a whole. These effects include lower academic achievement, disrupted learning, reduced graduation rates, weakened peer relationships, lower self-esteem, and increased behavioral challenges.

The goal of the Pledge 182 campaign is to re-engage families of chronically absent students through targeted outreach, encouragement, and recognition. This ensures that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

During the assembly, Mayor Spano challenged the students at School 5 to sign the pledge and promised to return in June with a pizza party for those who achieve perfect attendance during the 2025-2026 academic school year. This incentive aims to motivate students to prioritize their attendance and ultimately improve their academic success.

The Pledge 182 campaign is a collaborative effort between Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Public Schools, and School 5. By working together, they hope to make a positive impact on student attendance and academic achievement in the city of Yonkers.

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