Valencia County family attendance celebration aims to boost school attendance

Valencia County families are invited to a free community celebration aimed at promoting regular school attendance on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event, titled VALENCIA COUNTY FAMILY ATTENDANCE CELEBRATION - COMMITTED TO EVERY DAY, will be held at the University of New Mexico - Valencia Campus, 280 La Entrada Road in Los Lunas. Organizers say the gathering is designed as an in-person opportunity for families to celebrate consistent attendance and connect with local education and wellness partners under the theme "All In, All Year, All Together."

The Community Wellness Council and Community United for Student Attendance are hosting the event. Featured speaker Angela Crespin will headline an evening that also includes representatives from Los Lunas Schools, School of Dreams Academy, Belen Consolidated Schools and Isleta Pueblo. General admission is free and tickets are available, organizers note.

For local residents, the event offers more than a community night out. School and tribal representatives will be on hand to explain attendance expectations, district outreach efforts and available supports. Regular attendance is a key driver of classroom continuity and long-term student outcomes; for parents juggling work schedules, transportation and childcare, the chance to meet district staff face to face can shorten the gap between concerns and solutions.

The celebration reflects a broader shift toward cross-sector approaches to chronic absenteeism. By pairing school districts with community wellness organizations and tribal partners, the event highlights a strategy that treats attendance as both an educational and public health issue. That matters for the local economy as well: steady school completion supports a stronger local workforce pipeline and reduces future social-service demands.

Practical benefits for attendees are likely to include direct contact with attendance coordinators, information about district policies and referrals to wellness resources. Families new to the area or considering transfers between Los Lunas, Belen and charters such as School of Dreams Academy will find it a convenient way to ask questions and build relationships.

The event also serves as a public reminder that attendance initiatives depend on community buy-in. If more families see attendance as a shared responsibility among schools, health providers and tribal governments, Valencia County stands to gain in both educational outcomes and economic resilience.

Our two cents? Bring the whole family, talk to the district reps while they are there, and treat attendance as something that counts for long-term opportunity.