Seventy-five Milby High School teachers and administrators hit the streets in search of more than 80 students with excessive absences or failing grades during a recent “Milby in Action” outreach program.

Armed with student attendance and grade reports, 24 teams, each assigned 2-4 students, set out to share the importance of being in class and making good grades with the students and their families.

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Dropout Prevention case worker Heidi Cisneros explained to one student with good attendance but poor grades that he still had a chance to pass his classes because it was early in the semester. Otherwise, he was at risk of repeating the grade, making graduation more difficult.

Teams were able to contact the student or a family member at 43 homes. “Fifty percent is a good number,” said Cisneros.

Principal Roy De La Garza noted that teachers also benefited from the program.

“Seeing where the kids lived would have a huge impact on their perceptions of the students,” said De La Garza. “When you show up on their doorstep, it makes a difference in the building (school) because they don’t want you to come back.”