Magisterial District Judge Joanne Corbett had an important message for kindergarten students on Monday afternoon: stay in the classroom and out of the courtroom.
Judge Corbett visited John G. Whittier Elementary School as part of the school's observation of Read Across America Day. In court just 10 minutes before arriving at Whittier, Judge Corbett has a goal of never seeing the students in her courtroom for missing school.
"You have to go to school every day. It's very, very important," the South Scranton magistrate told the students. "Every day you don't come to school ... you miss out on a whole day of learning."
Students nodded, but reminded her of several reasons they would not go to school: if they were throwing up, or if it was a Saturday, Sunday or holiday.
During the 2010-11 school year, about 3,700 Scranton students were "habitually truant" from school, according to state Department of Education statistics.
Habitual truancy is defined as missing three school days following the first notice of truancy - given to parents after a child's third unlawful absence.
After reading the story "Get Up and Go" by Stuart J. Murphy, Judge Corbett presented the school with a framed poster with the motto "Awake, Attend, Achieve" to remind students of the importance of going to school daily.
On Monday morning, two dozen community members read to the students. Judge Corbett's visit hopefully gave the students an early lesson on why they should not miss school, Principal Nora Phillips said.
Addison Bohn, 5, said she enjoyed Judge Corbett's visit and learned it was important to go to school "so we can learn."
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