CAMPBELL — The Campbell City School District’s K-6 building is scoring a major victory for students by participating in the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network.

Students with outstanding attendance were rewarded last week with a special visit from Cleveland Browns mascot Chomps and Pittsburgh Steelers mascot Steely McBeam, both of whom play a key role in the program’s outreach efforts.

SITG is a statewide initiative founded by the Cleveland Browns Foundation, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, and Harvard’s Proving Ground. The initiative recently expanded beyond Ohio, welcoming the Pittsburgh Steelers as ambassadors of attendance.

Jim Goske, organizer of the event and Director of Whole Child Supports at the Campbell K-6 building said success in academics — and in life — begins with showing up to school. SITG aims to combat chronic absenteeism through engaging events like this one.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing just 10% of school time, or about two days per month. Even this small amount of missed instruction can lead to learning gaps that are difficult to overcome, Goske said.

“Attendance is a team sport,” said Susan Bodary, executive director of the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network. “It takes all of our support — families, educators, businesses, organizations, even rival NFL teams.”

At the beginning of the school year, Campbell City Schools encouraged students to sign an attendance pledge, committing to show up each day ready to learn and do their best to improve attendance. The pledge emphasizes that regular attendance supports long-term success, including reading well by third grade, graduating from high school and pursuing meaningful career paths.

During the visit, the mascots first met with students who have demonstrated outstanding attendance this school year. They then visited three classrooms selected for showing significant improvement. Chomps and Steely McBeam delighted students by posing for photos, interacting playfully and handing out football-shaped sugar cookies for students to decorate in their favorite team colors.

The mascots also led cheers, drawing enthusiastic responses from kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Before departing, they walked the hallways, offering handshakes and high-fives to students throughout the school.

Several students recognized for their attendance shared their perspectives on the importance of coming to school and the impact of the SITG program.

Fourth-grader Marilyn VanCobb said she has maintained “almost perfect” attendance this year. She credits her success to preparing her clothes and homework the night before and to her love of learning, especially math and reading.

“I really love my teachers and just enjoy being at school,” Marilyn said.

Fifth-grader Ri’kyah Flection also emphasized preparation as key to her strong attendance.

“I love coming to school and learning and being with my friends. That’s what motivates me to be here,” she said, adding that SITG has made a noticeable difference in her classmates’ attendance.

For fifth-grader Dare’ana Cash, long-term goals are a major motivator. She said her desire to attend a good college encourages her to come to school every day.

“I’ve learned to move quickly in the morning in order to get to school on time,” Dare’ana said. “I love being at school.”

Sixth-grader Gracamichel Nelson said having a parent who is a teacher has helped her understand the importance of regular attendance. She enjoys math class and said she feels supported in the school environment.

Another sixth-grader, Maria Espada, said going to bed early helps her maintain excellent attendance. She believes the SITG pledge encourages students to take attendance seriously. English / language arts is one of her favorite classes, and like her peers, she said she simply enjoys learning.

Goske said Campbell City Schools has participated in the SITG campaign for several years and has seen meaningful benefits.

“They not only provide incentives that motivate students, but they also help us analyze attendance data and develop targeted strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism,” he said.

With strong community partnerships, enthusiastic student participation, and even a little help from rival NFL teams, Campbell City Schools continues to prove that when everyone works together, showing up can be a winning play for students and their futures.