Thurgood Marshall Elementary wins Harlem Globetrotter visit for high attendance

The students of Thurgood Marshall Elementary were rewarded for their exceptional attendance record with a February 16 visit from Blenda Rodriguez of the Harlem Globetrotters. The visit was part of the Be Here Get There program as reward for the school’s January attendance rates.

From the Mayor’s office:

Harlem Globetrotter Blenda Rodriguez performed at Thurgood Marshall Elementary on February 16 in partnership with the city of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools’ citywide attendance campaign, Be Here Get There, to congratulate Thurgood Marshall Elementary for having the best elementary school attendance in Seattle for the month of January.

“We are very excited to be able to welcome the Harlem Globetrotters to our school,” said Thurgood Marshall Elementary Principal Julie Breindenbach. “We’re extremely proud of our faculty, students and parents for making attendance a priority.”

“Improving attendance rates must be addressed in ways that engage students,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the Harlem Globetrotters and congratulate Thurgood Marshall Elementary on their successful attendance.”

Mayor McGinn was also at the school for the visit, and he mentioned the program in Tuesday’s State of the City speech:

Seattle is a town that cares whether or not our kids succeed. How do we do that? Make sure every one is in school.

Our citywide Be Here Get There attendance campaign has been delivering results. Preliminary data shows that the rate of students attending school is at its highest level in five years. I want to thank all of our community partners, especially the students, parents, teachers and administrators who are making this effort possible.

Video of the mayor’s speech:

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