By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–For the second consecutive year, the San Diego Padres are partnering with the San Diego Unified School District to combat chronic absenteeism through the expanded “Be a Pro and Always Go” attendance campaign.
Building on last year’s successful collaboration, this year’s initiative emphasizes the critical importance of consistent school attendance for academic achievement and long-term success.
Research consistently shows the profound impact of regular attendance: Children who attend school regularly perform 25 percent better in reading and math, missing 10 percent of kindergarten is associated with lower academic performance in first grade, by third grade, consistent attendance is directly linked to reading proficiency, students who attend regularly are twice as likely to graduate on time, even missing one or two days per month significantly impacts learning.
“Daily attendance is the foundation of academic success and lifelong achievement,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District, Superintendent (Interim). “This second annual partnership with the Padres demonstrates our shared commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. When our students see role models like Manny Machado emphasizing the importance of showing up every day, it reinforces that consistency leads to excellence.”
Since the pandemic, schools nationwide have experienced unprecedented increases in chronic absenteeism. Contributing factors include COVID-19 and other illnesses, mental health challenges, housing and food insecurities, transportation issues, and economic pressures.
“Being on the field every day develops my skills as a player. Being in the classroom every day develops your skills as a student. This way you, too, can achieve your dreams. The sky’s the limit,” Machado tells students in a public service announcement. “So remember to be like a pro, always go.”
The competition focuses on 46 schools with the highest rates of chronic absenteeism. These schools were selected based on attendance data from the previous school year, with a particular focus on those most impacted by pandemic-related challenges.
“Last year’s campaign showed us the power of community partnerships in addressing complex educational challenges,” said Dr. Bagula. “By bringing together our schools, families, and hometown heroes like the Padres, we’re creating a culture that values and celebrates consistent attendance as the pathway to success.”
Running from March 17 to May 9, the campaign offers incentives such as 1,000 Padres game tickets for the students who improve attendance, surprise visits from the Padres Friar at key campaign milestones, additional rewards including SeaWorld tickets, Padres merchandise, and school supplies, special recognition event for the school with the most significant improvement, and dedicated Padres game celebration for the winning school
Schools participating in the campaign are Adams Elementary, Alcott Elementary, Audubon K-8, Baker Elementary, Bell Middle, Burbank Elementary, Carson Elementary, Chollas/Mead Elementary, Clark Middle, Crown Point Elementary, Emerson Elementary, Encanto Elementary, Field Elementary, Fletcher Elementary, Foster Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Fulton K-8, Golden Hill K-8, Hage Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Hardy Elementary, Horton Elementary, Innovation Middle, Jones Elementary, Juarez Elementary, Kimbrough Elementary, Knox Middle, Lafayette Elementary, Linda Vista Elementary, Millennial Tech Middle, Montgomery Middle, Mountain View School, Normal Heights Elementary, Nye Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Pacific View Leadership Elementary, Paradise Hills Elementary, Pendleton Elementary, Perry Elementary, Rodriguez Elementary, Ross Elementary, Sherman Elementary, Valencia Park Elementary, Webster Elementary, Whitman Elementary, and Zamorano Elementary.
To learn more about the campaign visit www.sandiegounified.org/alwaysgo.
