A colorful window cling is popping up on cars throughout Brookings, and it carries a powerful message about what really matters in education: being there.
The Dakota Prairie (DP) window clings are being distributed to families who've met their attendance goals, but they represent much more than perfect attendance records. According to school officials, the initiative celebrates a fundamental truth often overlooked in education — that learning happens when students are present, engaged, and connected to their school community.
"This isn't about shaming absences or creating pressure," explained a school representative. "It's about celebrating presence, growth, and the incredible instruction happening in our classrooms every single day."
The campaign shifts focus from what students miss to what they gain when they're consistently present: quality time with highly qualified teachers, collaborative learning with classmates, and the building blocks for future success.
Every Day Counts, Every Student Matters
Research consistently shows that chronic absenteeism, missing just two days per month, can significantly impact academic achievement and social development. But DP's approach emphasizes the positive: the relationships formed, the "aha moments" experienced, and the foundation built when students show up day after day.
"We want our community to understand that these window clings represent families who value education enough to make it a priority," the announcement states. "When you see the DP lettering facing out on a car, you're seeing a family committed to their child's future."
The initiative encourages community members to view the clings as badges of honor, symbols of families working alongside educators to ensure children don't just attend school, but truly participate in the learning experience.
As these window clings become more visible around town, they serve as daily reminders that education is a partnership and that the simple act of being present opens doors to extraordinary possibilities.