Observers attribute this yearвЂ™s elevated absentee rate to several possible factors - including ongoing pandemic-related health fears and the habituation of some kids to absenteeism during prolonged COVID-19 school closures.Governments, activists, and the media have become adept at holding companies to account for the social consequences of their actions. The DOE has pledged to provide enrollment and attendance data before the end of this month. New York City Office of the Mayor via AP DOE representative Sarah Casasnovas said the city is still happy with early school attendance figures. Porter said it will be better for kids to be in school than elsewhere. Teachers union chief Michael Mulgrew pressed city officials to intensify outreach to chronically absent kids during a city council meeting earlier this month. вЂњWeвЂ™re proud of our work to reach every student every day,вЂќ said DOE rep Sarah Casasnovas.В вЂњWeвЂ™ve already seen strong attendance this school year,В and as always, are doing the important work of ensuring our families have a smooth transition back to school.вЂќДaily absentee estimates have ranged from 140,000 to 180,000 kids in the school system, which has about 1.1 million enrolled.

Every parent was slated to receive PorterвЂ™s message this year, the department said. The DOE said robocalls are a routine element of outreach - although one involving attendance is not apparently the norm. On Thursday, the agency said 88 percent of kids were in class - several percentage points lower than in a comparable pre-pandemic period. The DOE has yet to reveal this yearвЂ™s enrollment or say exactly how many kids are in school each day, instead offering a daily percentage. Gifted and Talented program backers rally at DOE headquarters Please contact your school or call 311 to get connected to what you need for your child to attend school and succeed.вЂќ вЂњWe also know getting to school isnвЂ™t always easy,вЂќ she said.В вЂњWe are here to support you.

Porter adds that if some kids are having problems finding transportation to school, the DOE can assist.

The robocall from Porter stated that the schools are вЂњsafe and supportiveвЂќ environments for kids. вЂњMore time in school means your child will get the social, emotional and academic support they need to thrive, learn and be happy,вЂќ she said. In making her case, Porter argues that kids are better off in class as opposed to wherever else they are spending their days. Our schools are safe and supportive environments, and the classroom is a better place for your child this year.вЂќ вЂњWe are so excited to welcome your child back to school. вЂњHello, this is schools Chancellor Meisha Porter,вЂќ the recording says.

The roughly 40-second recording - voiced by Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter - has so far been sent to thousands of city families in an effort to fill classrooms. The city Department of Education has been sending out robocalls to plead with parents to get their kids to class amid apparent ongoing attendance issues. New schools boss wants to expose NYC kids to corporate world Stranger danger: Parents angry after knifepoint school bathroom hold-up New city education chief floats more elite schools with different admissions criteriaД®ric AdamsвЂ™ DOE pick a change of course from de Blasio: Goodwin

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