A recent article in The New York Post articulated that absenteeism by students in NYC schools was up by 30% daily. Why? It seems that parents who are now working remotely post-pandemic found that it isn’t such a big deal for non-testing grade school children to miss a day or two of school regularly.
But educators say differently: just two days of absenteeism can put a student behind by at least 18 days academically.
How to counteract this problem?
Why not use the Arts to bring kids back to school?
Here’s a great example of how the Arts solved a business problem for NYC.
In the early 1900’s in NYC when the subway system was newly built, there were no riders. Who in their right mind would travel underground to get somewhere? Most residents at the time worked near where they lived…they walked…it was healthy for everyone. You saw all your friends on the block. How to get people to ride the subway? Appeal to the children, of course!
That was the genius of building ornate carousels at the end of each line of the subway system…The children would beg their parents to get on the subway and ride it to the end of the line to ride the carousel, which was free entertainment at the time.
Hence, the Arts were used to improve ridership on the new system and improve the lives of NYC residents: they could now travel to various parts of the city which were unattainable before.
Let’s use some of that magic to improve attendance in NYC schools.
Arts & Entertainment in Schools
If you look back at the historical success like the carousel strategy above, it’s clear that fun, interactive experiences can indeed draw people in. If NYC schools were to incorporate something like a “Circus Day” or an “Arts Festival” to boost attendance, it could capture students’ imaginations and create a sense of excitement about coming to school. Here are some thoughts on how that could work:
- The Power of the Arts and Creativity
- Circus Day or an Arts Festival would give students a chance to experience something completely different from the regular school routine. This could include performances, interactive art installations, creative workshops, and even a “real circus” with jugglers, acrobats, and clowns. Such events could make school feel less like a chore and more like an exciting opportunity.
- Art and creativity in general can improve mental health and boost engagement. Many students who feel disengaged with traditional lessons might connect better with an event that showcases creativity, talent, and hands-on learning.
- The Draw for Parents
- If the event is tied to bringing in family members (as the carousel concept was about getting the whole family involved), an Arts Festival or Circus Day could serve as a great way to bring parents and children together. Imagine a circus show where kids perform or engage in artistic projects, and families are invited to see them. This could motivate students to attend school to be a part of the performance or showcase.
- It could even be made into a community event with local artists, performers, and musicians contributing, making the experience something that everyone wants to be part of.
- Building Excitement and Anticipation
- Leading up to the event, schools could create a buzz with preparations and rehearsals. This would not only get kids excited about coming to school to practice but also build anticipation for the big day.
- Social media and school communications could also hype up the event, creating a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) — who would want to be the only kid who didn’t show up for a fun day like that?
- Engaging Multiple Stakeholders
- Teachers and administrators could be involved in the planning, making it a school-wide initiative. They could work with students to create performances or projects, teaching skills while keeping it fun.
- Local artists, performers, and community organizations could partner with the schools, bringing additional resources and talent to make the event even bigger and more appealing.
- Creating a Tradition
- If successful, Circus Day or the Arts Festival could become an annual tradition, something that students look forward to throughout the school year. By weaving these events into the school culture, it could transform the way students and families view the value of attending school.
- The event could even be tied to broader educational goals, such as fostering teamwork, improving public speaking, or encouraging artistic expression. That way, the fun event also has an educational angle that students can appreciate.
- Incentives and Rewards
- To further encourage attendance, schools could offer special incentives or rewards for students with good attendance leading up to the event, such as early access, VIP seats, or the chance to perform. This way, students are motivated not just by the event itself but also by the recognition and reward for their attendance.
In summary, leveraging arts and cultural events could definitely help make schools more attractive to students and encourage them to show up. Circus Day, an Arts Festival, or similar events could be an amazing way to reignite excitement about school.
The combination of fun, creativity, and community could create a sense of belonging and enthusiasm — exactly what schools need to combat absenteeism. What do you think would be a good way to start the planning for an event like this?
