To support academic readiness, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano held an assembly at School 5 on Monday, September 15, 2025 to ask students to commit to attending school every day by participating in the Pledge 182 campaign.
Each signature on the pledge represents a promise to show up daily, ready to learn. As an extra incentive, Mayor Mike Spano has promised a pizza party at the end of the school year for students who achieve perfect attendance/
“Education lays the foundation for our future, and every missed school day is a missed opportunity for growth,” said Mayor Spano. “In Yonkers, we remain deeply committed to nurturing the promise within every child. By prioritizing school attendance, we can ensure that every student has the support and opportunity to succeed.”
“Mayor Spano’s leadership in promoting daily attendance sends a powerful message to our students and families,” noted Superintendent of Schools Aníbal Soler, Jr. “Pledge 182 reminds us that every single school day counts. When students commit to showing up, they build the habits and consistency that lead to stronger academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and brighter futures.”
Yonkers Public Schools prioritizes reducing chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason. Chronic absenteeism has significant negative effects on students and the broader community, including lower academic achievement, disrupted learning, reduced graduation rates, weakened peer relationships, lower self-esteem, and increased behavioral challenges.
The goal of the Pledge 182 campaign is to re-engage families of chronically absent students through targeted outreach, encouragement, and recognition, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.