The Grandview "Be There" team after welcoming students into the building Friday, April 25.

Got to be there.

It’s not just a song by the Jackson 5. Be There, a campaign focused on reducing chronic absenteeism in our public schools, was launched at the beginning of this past school year by the United Way of Allegheny County with a host of community organizations supporting (including A+ Schools).

This past Friday, Kirk Holbrook, one of our Community Organizers, led a rally at Pittsburgh Grandview as part of an effort to remind students that they need to “Be There” for the last 30 days of school. Studies have shown that the last month is typically a time that student attendance starts to drop off. There’s still learning to be done, and our schools can only help students if they are present. Community partners from Voices Against Violence and the Grandview PTA were also there to cheer students on.

I was also out at Pittsburgh Faison with folks from the Homewood Children’s Village, Higher Achievement Program and the United Way welcoming kids to school and encouraging them to be there for the last 30 days. To find out more about the Be There campaign or to get involved click here.