Two weeks into Manhattan High’s new attendance alert system, the number of unexcused absences has decreased significantly.

In early February, Manhattan High School began implementing an attendance alert system that contacts parents each day if their student is absent from class. The system is aimed at combating rising absenteeism at MHS and across the district.

“I think it’s a good way for parents to get the information,” junior class office professional Alicia Ridder said. “Parents have been doing really well at responding and letting us know if a kid has been sick or also clarifying mistakes that may have been made.”

Parents of MHS students typically receive these alerts (if their student is absent) around 3 p.m. each school day and are able to communicate with office staff to clarify absences. These alerts are sent through Infinite Campus and ParentSquare.

The data visualization above is from the first week the system began.