With the start of a new school year approaching, the Excelsior Springs School District (ESSD) is emphasizing the importance of attendance.“Each new school year brings with it opportunities for growth, learning and achievement,” said ESSD Superintendent Jaret Tomlinson. “It is our collective responsibility as a community to ensure that every student has the tools, support and encouragement they need to succeed. One crucial element of success that I would like to emphasize is the importance of regular school attendance.”Poor attendance during childhood has significant long-term implications, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Studies have revealed that individuals who drop out of high school tend to display a pattern of negative behaviors, including consistently high levels of absenteeism, at a much higher frequency compared to those who graduate from high school.“A missed school day is a lost opportunity f...