Roads to Success Supports Students Through the Barty Attendance Challenge

At Roads to Success (RTS), we know that showing up matters, every single day. Missing even one day of school can disrupt learning, weaken routines, and make it harder for students to stay connected academically and socially. Over time, those missed days add up, creating barriers that are entirely preventable with the right support, awareness, and encouragement.

That’s why RTS is proud to participate in the Barty Attendance Challenge, a citywide effort designed to help students and families understand the importance of daily attendance, and to empower young people to take ownership of showing up for their education.

Why Attendance Matters More Than We Think?

Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When students attend school every day, they are more likely to:

• Stay engaged in learning
• Build strong relationships with peers and educators
• Develop positive routines and accountability
• Feel a sense of belonging within their school community

On the flip side, chronic absenteeism, often starting with just a few missed days, can quickly snowball into academic gaps, disengagement, and long-term challenges. At RTS, we see firsthand how early intervention and positive reinforcement can change that trajectory.

The Barty Attendance Challenge is part of NYC Public Schools’ “Chronically Present, Every Day Matters” campaign, developed in partnership with districts, community-based organizations, and central offices across the city. The initiative uses positive messaging, student engagement, and community involvement to reinforce one clear message:

"Being in school every day makes a difference."

The Barty Attendance Challenge is effective because it:

• Centers students as active participants, helping them understand and take ownership of their attendance
• Engages families with clear, accessible guidance, making attendance a shared responsibility
• Uses positive reinforcement, incentives, and recognition to encourage improvement
• Builds school-wide energy and community, turning attendance into something students feel proud of

By combining awareness, motivation, and fun, the challenge helps students form habits that extend far beyond the classroom.

RTS is partnering with our school communities to amplify this message and support attendance improvement efforts through consistent communication, relationship-building, and community engagement. By working alongside school staff, families, and students, we aim to reinforce the idea that every day in school is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to move closer to long-term success.

This challenge is not just about being present, it’s about helping young people recognize their own potential and showing them that their education is worth showing up for, every single day.

At RTS, we believe attendance is more than a metric.

It’s a foundation.

And when students are present, possibility follows.