Educators at Silver City Elementary School want to improve student attendance after the COVID-19 pandemic drove up chronic absenteeism. They said making sure students are "seen and loved on" is a big way to motivate them to show up.

Educators at Silver City Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas, welcomed students back to school on Wednesday with pom-poms, high-fives and hugs.

Principal Zaneta Boles said “a hug and a smile” is what most motivates students to show up.

“They just want to be seen and loved on,” Boles said. “We're at the elementary age, and so they will hug you big and hug you tight and all that means is, ‘I'm glad you're here, and I'm glad you want me to be here.’”

“School is a safety place for them, so when they come to school and they feel safe and feel loved, they wa

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