Passage Four
Pittsburgh Arlington, an elementary school in the state of Pennsylvania, is battling chronic absence from school with a community-centered approach that combines care, connection, and practical support.
Over half of the school’s 353 students frequently miss classes. Many of these students face barriers like a lack of transportation, which the school district does not provide for those living less than a mile and a half away.
To tackle this issue, the school worked with the Brashear Association, a local nonprofit, to launch the Nanas (保姆) program. This initiative provides a personal touch, where nanas make cheerful morning wakeup calls to families, often ending the conversation with a heartfelt “I love you.” In addition, the program offers free bus rides to and from school, ensuring that children who might otherwise miss school can attend regularly.
The program currently serves 36 children daily, but demand is high, with about 20 students still on the waitlist. Principal Crystal Caldwell wishes there were more resources to expand the service. Meanwhile, the school is also working on other solutions, like paying staff to walk students home and working together with a nearby church to offer before-after-school care.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative aiming at making school a friendly and desirable place for students.Thisincludes working with local arts organizations to create interesting programs and offering regular motivational talks to encourage attendance (出勤). These combined efforts reflect a deep understanding that the causes are complex and varied, requiring the entire community’s involvement to address them effectively.
Tiffini Gorman, director of partnerships at the nonprofit A+ Schools, emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring that every child has the support they need to succeed. The school’s approach highlights the significance of community involvement in creating a positive and supportive environment for students.
What problem is Pittsburgh Arlington trying to solve?