Hinsdale South Absenteeism Dives, But Senioritis Not Here Yet

DARIEN, IL – The number of Hinsdale South High School's chronically absent students is down so far this year, but it may rise in the second semester, the principal said Thursday.

At a school board meeting, Principal Kari Peronto said the latest attendance data is "one of our strongest celebrations" this year.

In the first semester, the number of chronically absent students dropped by more than 100. The chronic absenteeism rate was 14 percent.

A year ago, the rate was 21 percent in the first semester, Peronto said. By year's end, the number rose to 25 percent, compared with Hindale Central's 15 percent, according to state data.

Peronto said this year's number may also increase among seniors. Students often lose motivation as graduation approaches, a condition known as senioritis.

"I understand that we're going to move into that," she said.

Under the state's definition, chronically absent students miss at least 10 percent of school days in a year, with or without valid excuses.

During the pandemic, student absenteeism rose nationally, but the problem lingers.

It's also been an issue at nearby Lyons Township High School, which saw a 24 percent rate last year. Officials said the rate is better this year.

At Thursday's board meeting, member Liz Mitha called South's turnaround "phenomenal."

"It's not an easy number to improve," she said. "It's hard to teach students when they're not present."

Peronto said the school has taken several measures to reduce absenteeism, including:

• Increased schoolwide attendance messaging.
• Campaigns such as "No Tardy November" with competitions between classes.
• Paper notices to parents of students with attendance issues, in addition to automated messages.
• Weekly attendance reviews by counselors and social workers during collaboration time on early-release Wednesdays.