Read to Grow Announces 4th Annual Poster Contest to Celebrate Attendance Awareness Month

Read to Grow Announces 4^th Annual Poster Contest to Celebrate Attendance Awareness Month
 
Johnston County, NC – Read to Grow Johnston County is excited to announce its 4th Annual Poster Contest in honor of Attendance Awareness Month this September. The contest encourages K-5 students to create posters highlighting the importance of regular school attendance.
 
On August 18th, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners officially proclaimed September 2025 as Attendance Awareness Month, recognizing the critical role of consistent school attendance in helping all children learn, grow, and thrive. The proclamation was presented by Heather Machia, Coordinator of Read to Grow Johnston County, on behalf of the group's Chronic Absence Action Team, and was also signed by Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. David Pearce.
 
Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, has been a growing concern in Johnston County since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, initiatives led by Read to Grow have shown positive results. Target elementary schools in Benson, Selma, South Smithfield, and West Smithfield all saw a decrease in chronic absenteeism from the 2023-2024 to the 2024-2025 school year. Benson Elementary, in particular, saw a significant 12% decrease.

The Attendance Action Team believes that reducing chronic absence requires a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach focused on prevention and early intervention. By empowering schools, families, elected leaders, and community partners to work together, we can rebuild trust, identify the barriers leading to absenteeism, and increase the potential for every child to succeed.
 
The contest is open to all elementary school students (kindergarten through 5th grade). Students are encouraged to create a unique poster that answers the question, “Why Attendance Matters.”
 
Winning posters will be featured on Read to Grow's social media channels and printed for display at the student's home school. Each winner will also receive a special gift pack to help reinforce school attendance. Posters will be judged on theme, quality of design, and creativity.
 
Homeschool, charter, and private school families interested in participating can contact Heather Machia at hmachia@pfcjc.org or 919-397-7822. For all contest details, please visit Read to Grow’s Facebook page.
 
About Read to Grow Johnston County
 
Read to Grow consists of a wide variety of community members, including business leaders, faith community members, families, Partnership for Children of Johnston County, Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County, Johnston County Public Schools, and its Board of Education. As a collaborative group, Read to Grow is working to connect resources, develop initiatives, and achieve the targets and milestones set to impact the three pillars of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR): school readiness, chronic absenteeism, and out-of-school learning. For more information or to get involved, contact Heather Machia at 919-397-7822.