By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The state’s second largest school district is back to hitting the books.
Read more Deshaun Watson named Cleveland Browns starting quarterback, AP source says
More than 117,000 students enrolled in Wake County Public School System’s traditional calendar started the school year on Monday. Teachers were excited to see their students come back to school.
Ashley Whitley was among the parents dropping off her children on the first day.
“We’ve been doing some back to school shopping this weekend, getting some last minute items from Target, doing some clothes try-ons,” Whitley said.
The district is focusing on attendance this year. Wake County Public Schools System Superintendent Robert Taylor wants to see their smiling faces showing up not just on day one, but all year round.
“We can correlate attendance and academics,” Taylor said.
A report published by the district shows 18% of students are chronically absent, which is being absent at least 10% of enrolled days.
Read more 49ers owner Jed York pleads no contest to two misdemeanor charges in Ohio
“Many students feel that they can make up work that is missed, but when you miss that valuable instruction time with the teacher that really does make a difference,” Taylor said. “Students are now able to access a lot of information online, but there’s nothing like getting that direct instruction from your teacher.”
Wake County isn’t alone. State data shows 380,000 students statewide are chronically absent.
MORE FROM CBS 17
WAKE COUNTY NEWS
WCPSS focuses on curbing chronic absence this year
Reported hostage situation in Zebulon leads to 1 arrest: Police
Boater pleads guilty in deadly Harris Lake crash
“Some of it is lingering from the COVID epidemic,” Taylor said. “A lot of kids were out of school, so we’re now just trying to make sure parents understand that attendance is important.”
Important also for parents to note there are new safety protocols in place.
The district replaced its codes red, green, and yellow with the standard response protocol that uses action words for a clearer understanding of what is happening on campus.
Read more How to become a certified life coach