Attendance Matters’ Campaign Kicks Off to Combat Truancy

Crete-Monee School District 201-U Meeting | September 2025

Article Summary: The district introduced a new “Attendance Matters” campaign led by Truancy Officer Eric Green, aimed at proactively improving student attendance through mentorship and peer engagement. The initiative includes a student-led committee touring district schools to promote the importance of being in class.

Attendance Initiative Key Points:

• Motto: “Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Here.”

• Student Involvement: High school students actively mentor peers and present to elementary schools.

• Community Partnership: Collaboration with local mayors and village officials to support attendance goals.

• Proactive Approach: Shifts focus from reactive truancy enforcement to motivating students to attend.

The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, highlighted a new proactive approach to student attendance.

Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese introduced Eric Green, the district’s Truancy Officer, who spearheaded the “Attendance Matters” campaign. Moving beyond traditional punitive truancy measures, the campaign focuses on identifying the root causes of absenteeism, such as anxiety, and creating a welcoming environment.

“We want to see things from their perspective and just really letting the kids know that we hear you,” Green told the board. He noted that post-COVID, many students struggle with anxiety about social interactions or being late to class, leading them to skip entirely.

The initiative features a Student Attendance Committee, including Vice President Terrell Henderson, a junior at the high school, who addressed the board. Henderson explained that the committee planned a tour of district elementary schools to teach younger students fun facts about attendance and encourage them to be present.

“Students tend to receive information well when they hear it from their peers,” Green said.

The campaign also involves collaboration with local municipal leaders, including the mayors of Monee and University Park, to create community-wide incentives for student attendance. Board members praised Green and the students for their leadership and commitment to improving educational outcomes through presence in the classroom.