MEDIA ADVISORY
Manny Machado, Padres to Surprise Paradise Hills Elementary School in Attendance Challenge at Assembly
May 10, 2024
WHAT: Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado will make a surprise appearance at a Paradise Hills Elementary School assembly to congratulate students for winning the “Be a Pro and Always Go” Attendance Challenge. Please do not publicize this event in advance
WHEN: Monday, May 13, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Media representatives may arrive to set up at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Paradise Hills Elementary School
5816 Alleghany St.
San Diego, CA 92139
*See the event location map with the media staging area below.
VISUALS: Students, staff and families will gather for a celebration assembly.
Manny Machado, the Friar, and members of the Pad Squad make a surprise appearance at the assembly.
Presentation of framed certificate to principal.
Students receive Manny Machado bobbleheads, game tickets, and certificates.
SPEAKERS: Principal Steve Elizondo
Board of Education Trustee Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne
Students
Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson
Padres third baseman Manny Machado
BACKGROUND: To help promote strong attendance, with an emphasis on elementary schools most impacted by chronic absenteeism, the Padres collaborated with San Diego Unified on a campaign that includes a public service announcement (PSA) and tickets to a Padres game as a reward for schools that improved attendance this spring.
The “Be a Pro and Always Go” campaign was launched to help address a local and nationwide increase in absenteeism following the pandemic, challenging San Diego Unified schools to improve attendance from March 1 through April 30. Paradise Hills Elementary won the challenge, having made the highest percentage gain in attendance. In addition to Paradise Hills Elementary, 64 schools serving Universal Transitional Kindergarten through fifth-grade improved attendance during the challenge.
The Padres will provide game tickets to students, staff, and families at Paradise Hills Elementary. Students will also receive a certificate signed by Manny Machado and Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson, and a Manny Machado bobblehead. Students, staff, and families at the runner-up Fletcher Elementary School will also receive tickets to attend a game at Petco Park. Meanwhile, students attending each of the 63 additional schools that improved attendance in the challenge will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a pair of tickets to a Padres game.
Both the Padres and San Diego Unified are hopeful the attendance campaign will make a lasting impact and curb absenteeism going forward.
Since the pandemic, schools locally and nationwide have seen a spike in absenteeism. COVID-19 and other illnesses, mental health needs, housing and food insecurities, unmet transportation needs, and inflation, all contribute to chronic absenteeism.
San Diego Unified is committed to identifying the root causes of chronic absenteeism, and is working to implement solutions and strategies to support families so all students can regularly attend school and thrive.
PARKING: Parking is available in the parking lot. See map below.
MEDIA CONTACT: Communications Director Maureen Magee, San Diego Unified, (619) 381-7930, communications@sandi.net
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