My name is Greg Knight and I am the attendance advisor at David Harrison Elementary.  I am from Springfield and attended Springfield Public Schools from K-12.  I then graduated from MSU here in town with a degree in Sociology along with minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice.  From there I went to work at Boys and Girls Town here in Springfield, working with adolescents ages 5-17 with behavioral and emotional difficulties.  My wife and I, who I met there, were partners working in the same cottage for 9 of my 11 years there.  After that experience, I was fortunate to be hired as an attendance advisor with the district in fall of 2005.

As an attendance advisor I help monitor a schools’ attendance and identify students or families that we might be able to assist.  Many times a student who is experiencing attendance difficulties also has a family that is experiencing some difficulties of their own.  I will make a visit to the student’s home, talk with the student’s parents and determine if there are any solutions that we can help with.  I have information on most all organizations in Springfield that are available to help a family in need, whatever that need might be.  Most generally simple communication with the school resolves many of the reasons for the attendance issues.  The more students I see getting to school everyday and on time, the more rewarding my job becomes. 

Thank you to all the parents who help us achieve good attendance.