EAST PALESTINE — The East Palestine School District, in collaboration with the OSU Extension Office & the East Palestine Resiliency Center, recently launched a comprehensive program aiming to address habitual truancy among students.

The program, running every Wednesday evening in March, provides valuable educational resources for both parents and students. It is the first program of this nature in the area.

“We understand that truancy can often be tied to an underlying challenge within a family,” said Dr. James Rook, East Palestine Schools superintendent. “This program was designed to help provide families with the necessary tools and resources to create a supportive environment for their children’s overall education.”

The program focuses on empowering families to overcome the challenges associated with habitual truancy by offering:

— Educational Sessions: Students engage in interactive sessions focusing on nutritional habits and other health-related topics, while parents participate in active parenting classes designed to enhance their support systems.

— Community Support: Each session features guest speakers and administrative representation, ensuring essential support and guidance for participants.

— Practical Assistance: To relieve potential barriers to attendance, dinner is provided, along with gas cards for those taking advantage of the program.

— Incentive for Participation: Parents who attend all four sessions will receive customized baskets containing items based on needs identified in an initial survey.