Fall, 2006

Welcome back to another school year. I wanted to welcome everyone to the new school year with positive support. Children are our future! We must help our children succeed in school. It is of utmost importance that our children are receiving the best education and are given opportunities to expand their knowledge!

Student attendance is the most important aspect to student achievement and life long success. Early identification is necessary to salvage a student’s education. A Truancy Task Force has been established and regularly meets throughout various locations in South Dakota to identify and address issues that face children and education. Prompt attention and commitment to our children is necessary to enhance the collaboration we have so far fostered and for all involved to triumph.

The Truancy Task Force members consists of Pennington County Juvenile Diversion Associates, 7th Judicial Circuit Court Representatives, Tribal Courts, schools on the reservations, community resource agencies, and Rapid City Area schools. The collaboration efforts between the agencies helps to combat truancy and to innovates plans to encourage kids to stay in school. For more information on the Truancy Task Force or to become involved with the Force, please fill out the Truancy Task Force/School Data Information Form, complete the on-line form, or call The Juvenile Diversion Truancy Program.