September is Attendance Awareness Month, and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network (SITG!) is continuing its efforts to promote improved attendance across the state of Ohio.
Consistent attendance is critical for student success. Students who are not chronically absent are 3.9 times more likely to read on grade level by third grade and three times more likely to graduate high school on time. Yet, in the 2024-25 school year, 25.1 percent of Ohio students were chronically absent. SITG! continues its efforts into the 2025-26 school year to improve attendance rates across the state of Ohio with a goal of decreasing chronic absenteeism by 50 percent over the next five years, in support of Governor Mike DeWine and Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's Stephen Dackin's pledge.
"Every day in school matters, and we know that attendance in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year," Vice President of Community Impact and Foundation Renee Harvey said. "So, while we support schools year-round, Attendance Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to partner with school districts, recognize students and start the school year strong."
SITG! hosted multiple events throughout the month of September to promote the importance of improved attendance, including back-to-school visits with S Grant Delpit and G Joel Bitonio, DT Shelby Harris serving as the principal for the day and special guests at the Browns' first two home games and walk-thru practices. SITG! also held weekly contests that highlighted schools and students in their commitment to improved attendance, reaching 61 districts in Northeast Ohio.
Launched in 2019 by the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and Harvard's Proving Ground, the SITG! Attendance Network, now managed by Battelle, works together to reduce chronic absenteeism by bringing together experts, partners and communities. SITG! Attendance Network partners with the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati to support attendance efforts throughout the state of Ohio. Together, the three teams partner with 218 schools and impact more than 580,000 students.
SITG! received a boost in highlighting the importance of showing up to school each day through the help of three new Stay in the Game! Ambassadors in Bitonio, Delpit and Harris. They join WR Cedric Tillman as ambassadors who are supporting educational initiatives across the state of Ohio.
"With the help of our ambassadors, we're able to connect with students in meaningful ways that keep them motivated to show up and succeed throughout the whole school year," Harvey said.
Grant Delpit holds back-to-school event
Delpit kicked off Attendance Awareness Month, holding a Back-to-School event at William Foster Elementary School, part of the Garfield Heights City School District, on Aug. 28. He provided each student in Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade with a new backpack, school supplies and snacks to help students show up to school every day ready to learn.
"The smile on all my students' faces when they went through the line to get all their new school supplies and backpacks really warmed my heart," kindergarten teacher Melissa Irvine said.
Browns S Christopher Edmonds and CB Myles Harden joined Delpit at the event where they greeted the students and helped them get school supplies. While the three Browns players helped the students get ready for school, Chomps engaged with the students to remind them that school can also be fun.
For Delpit, sharing the message of improved school attendance is one that takes him back to his school-age years. His mother stressed the importance of good attendance, and Delpit strived to consistently be in school each year throughout his grade school years.
"I think just seeing myself in them and being at school every day is important," Delpit said.
Joel Bitonio hosts back-to-school event
Bitonio held a back-to-school event at Constellation Schools: Stockyard on Sept. 2. He donated a Nike backpack to every student from kindergarten to eighth grade filled with school supplies. At the event there were football activities and minute-to-win-it style games where students could win prizes.
"It was truly an amazing experience, so much fun, joy and laughter filled our gym. We can't thank Joel (Bitonio) enough for his generosity," Jacqueline Dean, a counselor at Constellation Schools, said. "Stay in the Game! is such a wonderful opportunity to decrease absences at schools."
During the event, Bitonio shared his personal experience of his mom being a third-grade teacher and what that taught him about the importance of going to school. Bitonio said because of his role as a football player, it helps get the message of the significance of attending school to the kids.
Bitonio has held a back-to-school event at a Cleveland-area school each year throughout his time with the Browns. It's an annual event that holds a special meaning to him, as his mother has been a third-grade teacher for about 30 years.
"Anytime I can give back to the kids to try and help them get a backpack and just have some fun and some supplies it's really easy for me," Bitonio said. "And it's a great time with the kids. I know the Browns are big in Stay in the Game! and so we're trying to tell the kids like, 'Hey, get to school, try and get to school when you're healthy.' And the parents that were there, we were like, 'Thanks for bringing the kids,' because we actually were giving out some awards from the school for kids that had missed less than two days the year before and they had like 10 or 12 of them. And we were like 'That's great, keep doing that and doing your thing.' So, it was a cool experience."
Browns host special guests for Kickoff Kid and Browns walk-thru
During both home games for the Browns in the month of September, SITG! hosted a special guest student who served as the Kickoff Kid.
Kickoff Kids are selected by partner district administrators as a way to recognize students that have a commitment to attendance. On Sept. 7, Kyrie from Intergenerational Schools served as the Kickoff Kid for the season opener against the Bengals, and Vincent from Maple Heights City School District was the Kickoff Kid for Week 3 against the Packers. The students watched the players run out onto the field before the game and helped retrieve the kicking tee from the field.
SITG! also hosted two students at Browns walk-thru during the month of September. Ahead of the season opener, SITG! welcomed Trent, a student from Euclid City Schools, and his family at walk-thru on Sept. 6. They received a tour of the facility, met head coach Kevin Stefanski, DE Myles Garrett and Bitonio, as well as watched the Saturday practice before the Browns faced the Bengals on Sept. 7. They then hosted J'Niel, a student from Parma City Schools at walk thru on Sept. 27.
Shelby Harris serves as Principal for the Day
Harris kicked off his tenure as a Stay in the Game! ambassador serving as the "Principal for the Day" at Warrensville Heights Elementary School on Sept. 23. Warrensville Heights was selected for winning an attendance awareness month contest to see which school showcased the most Browns' spirit. Harris reviewed the participating schools and chose Warrensville Heights to win the visit.
After greeting students over the announcement system, he made his way around the school, visiting classrooms to greet and engage with the students. Harris was also interviewed by two fifth grade students chosen for their good attendance during his time as principal. Harris said one of his favorite moments of the day was the chance he had to play "red light, green light" with the students.
Harris, who had dreams as a child of being either a professional football player or a veterinarian, highlighted how school helped him achieve his dream of playing in the NFL.
"I wanted to come out because one, my mom was a teacher," Harris said. "So, I really like to be involved in schools, and (the students) staying in the game and with (their) attendance record, I wanted to make sure that I came out and showed (them) the appreciation (they) deserve for coming to school every day and getting good grades."
Gym Class Takeover at Carylwood Intermediate School
The Browns kicked off their first of four Gym Class Takeovers for the 2025 fall semester on Sept. 23, visiting Carylwood Intermediate School.
As a reward for their dedication to attendance, Carylwood Intermediate School was selected for a Gym Class Takeover, presented by Meijer. Gym Class Takeovers are a special experience for schools participating in Browns Flag In-Schools, in partnership with the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network.
During a school assembly, WR Jamari Thrash spoke with students about the importance of attending school and answered their questions in a brief Q&A period. He then led a selected group of students through hands-on football skill stations and non-contact games. Students also had the chance to meet Thrash and received t-shirts as they rotated through football stations.
Additionally, the Bedford City School District received a $2,500 grant to support attendance initiatives, provided by Meijer and the Cleveland Browns Foundation.
"I think it's important as a player because I know when I was younger, NFL players would come back to the community, those are certain guys that we look up to," Thrash said. "So, I feel like this is not only good for me, but for them to show them that they have somebody that's in their corner, somebody that is excited for them and willing to show them those steps you have to take to be where you want to be in life."
To learn more about Stay in the Game! and how to support youth in local communities, please visit StayintheGame.org.
