For the past four years, Sandy Castro—affectionately known as the “Attendance Fairy” at Ortega Elementary School—has worked to inspire students to attend school. Dressed in her whimsical costume, complete with fairy wings, Sandy has become a beloved figure on campus, transforming attendance from a requirement into a reason to celebrate.
September is National Attendance Awareness Month. When students miss school, they miss out—not just on academics, but also on fine arts, extracurricular activities, and meaningful connections with their classmates.
Castro’s approach goes beyond tracking numbers. It’s about building relationships, sparking excitement, and showing students that being present matters—both now and in the future.
“We’re teaching them the importance of attendance for later in life, for work, and for their futures,” Castro said. “That’s what we’re trying to instill in the kids.”
Castro not only rewards students with perfect attendance but also celebrates those who make improvements throughout the school year. Her incentives include hosting attendance parties, organizing lunches with the fairy, and giving away prizes—many of which come from community donations.
Chronic absenteeism—missing just two days a month—puts students at academic risk. According to studies, it can lead to third-graders struggling to read, sixth-graders falling behind in subjects, and ninth-graders at risk of dropping out.
During the last four years, Sandy Castro, known affectionately as the “Hada de Asistencia” at Ortega Elementary School, has had a trick to inspire students to come to class. In her extravagant costume with fairy wings and all, Sandy has become a beloved figure on campus by transforming attendance from a requirement into a reason to celebrate.
September is National Attendance Awareness Month. When students miss class, they miss out—not just on academics but also on fine arts, extracurricular activities, and meaningful connections with their classmates.
Castro’s method goes beyond recording numbers. It’s about establishing relationships, inspiring excitement and demonstrating to students that being present is important both now and in the future.
“Les estamos enseñando la importancia que la asistencia tendrá más adelante en la vida, en el trabajo y en sus futuros,” dijo Castro. “Eso es lo que estamos tratando de inculcarles a los niños.”
Castro not only rewards students with perfect attendance but also celebrates those who improve throughout the school year. Her incentives include hosting attendance parties, organizing lunches with the fairy and giving away prizes—many of which come from community donations.
Chronic absenteeism (missing just two days a month) puts students at academic risk. Studies show it can lead to third-graders having difficulty reading; sixth-graders falling behind in subjects; and ninth-graders being at risk of dropping out.
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