BALTIMORE, Md. (May 14, 2014)—Earlier this week, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by officials from Baltimore City Public Schools to announce the winning high school for the Spring 2014 competition of the Mayor's School Attendance Campaign, which aims to improve student attendance through contests and awareness among students, parents, and schools. School attendance is especially important for high school students as they prepare for careers or higher education. Additionally, when students are not in school, they are more likely to become involved in violent crime, as either the victims or perpetrators.

“I am passionate about the future of Baltimore's youth people," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "I started this attendance campaign because I want our students to succeed, and this semester’s competition gave us a particularly valuable opportunity to begin a dialogue about what Baltimore’s teen-aged students feel is necessary to keep them safe—both in and out of school.”

The winning school was selected based on percentage increase in average daily attendance over the same period last year. Carver Vocational-Technical High School was declared the winner of the competition. Under the leadership of Principal Kirk A Sykes, students at Carver increased their average daily attendance by approximately 12 percent.

The school will receive a $1,000 grant from Comcast. Students at the winning school will receive a pizza party sponsored by Domino's Pizza, tickets to see the Orioles play at Camden Yards, and a block party hosted by Mayor Rawlings-Blake, featuring a surprise guest performer. In addition, some students will receive apparel from Under Armour, and 75 students from the school will be invited to attend a party at The Grille at Peerce’s Landing to celebrate their achievement.

"The Orioles are proud to partner with the Mayor's Office and the Baltimore City Public Schools in an effort to help improve classroom attendance," said Orioles Director of Community Relations Kristen Schultz. "The Orioles remain committed to helping the youth in our area, and we hope the opportunity to see the Orioles in person helps to serve as an effective incentive." 

This semester’s competition was the third and final contest for the 2013 – 14 school year. From March 3 – May 9, students in grades 9 – 12 at participating schools competed to win prizes and fun activities by working to improve their attendance.

"Domino's is proud to partner with Mayor Rawlings-Blake in an effort to motivate and encourage students to succeed," said Chris Rowe, Domino's Pizza director of corporate operations in Maryland. "We know how important education is and look forward to rewarding students from the winning school with hot, great-tasting pizza." 

The first two brackets of the Mayor’s School Attendance Campaign took place during the Fall 2013 semester. The pre-K and kindergarten students at Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle School won their bracket by increasing attendance from 92.6 percent to 94.2 percent. Rognel Heights Elementary/Middle School’s 1st – 8th graders won their bracket by increasing attendance from 93.2 percent to 96.3 percent.

The Mayor's School Attendance Campaign is an initiative of the Office of the Mayor, in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools. The theme of this year's campaign is “It takes a Baltimore community to raise a child.” This semester's campaign was made possible by program sponsors Comcast, Domino's Pizza, Under Armour, and The Baltimore Orioles.