The hallways of Whitman Middle School hum with a unique energy. It's the sound of students moving to class, laughter echoing from classrooms, and the quiet concentration of students tackling new challenges. But sometimes, that hum falters. Sometimes, the hallways feel a little emptier, the classrooms a little quieter. That's when Whitman's heart, the community spirit that makes this school so special, kicks into high gear.

Because at Whitman, we understand that attendance isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about presence. It's about showing up for yourself, for your friends, and for the entire Whitman family. To this end, Whitman is focusing on student attendance challenges to encourage regular attendance.

"Our attendance challenges build community at Whitman," says Colleen Hooper, Director of Student Services. "We are in this together, and supporting each other by walking through the door every day makes a difference."

And she's right. It's easy to think of school attendance as an individual issue, a matter of personal responsibility. But at Whitman, they've flipped the script. They've recognized that when a student is struggling to attend, it impacts everyone.

When students are not here, they miss out on so much. Not just the lessons, but the jokes with friends, the after-school club meetings, even just seeing their favorite counselors, Ms. Shirley or Ms. Roberts. One of our Wildcat students tells us, “When I’m not here, it just feels...different."

That feeling of "different" is what Whitman is working to change. They understand that life throws curveballs. Sometimes, it's a sick day. Sometimes, it's a tough morning. But they also know that the more days students spend in the building, the stronger the school becomes.

"The more days we are in the building together, there are more opportunities to nurture our friendships, relationships with teachers, and strengthen school spirit," explains Mrs. Hooper. She emphasizes that the relationships built within the school walls are the foundation for learning and growth.

To foster this spirit of togetherness, Whitman has launched monthly attendance challenges. These aren't about punishment or pressure. They're about encouragement and celebration. They're about reminding students that their presence matters.

These challenges involve class competitions, sweet treats as individual awards, and even teacher vs. student competitions that bring everyone together. The goal is to create a positive and supportive environment where students feel motivated to come to school, ready to learn, and excited to be part of the Whitman family.

Whitman's attendance initiatives are showing results. Chronic absenteeism, defined as students missing 18 or more days in a school year, dropped from 26% in 2022-23 to 13% in 2023-24, thanks to an attendance team addressing student and family needs. Currently at 12%, Whitman aims for 11% in 2024-25, and our attendance challenges are helping to keep that momentum strong.

The real heart of the matter is the understanding that Whitman is more than just a building. It's a community, a network of support, a place where students are seen, heard, and valued. And the simple act of walking through the door, day after day, is what keeps that community strong. It's what makes the Whitman heartbeat resonate, loud and clear, through every hallway and classroom. It's the sound of a community showing up for each other, one day at a time.

Whitman's intentional efforts to improve attendance rates are tied directly to the FCPS Strategic Plan's Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included and Empowered students. 

Learn more about the importance of regular school attendance.