Trenton Public Schools officials launched a city billboard campaign Thursday to improve school attendance knowing that a President Donald Trump immigration agenda could thwart their education initiative. With attendance dropping throughout city schools, especially in K-3 classrooms, Superintendent James Earle acknowledged challenges ahead as uncertainty and anxiety ratchet opposite the District’s new — Every Day On Time effort. “We think (Trump’s rollout of immigration crackdown methods) might impact our attendance problem. We don’t know what we don’t know,” said Earle, who thanked SEED’s Heal the City program Director Stacy Heading for its contribution to the billboard blitz. “But based on what we read and hear when watching news reports, we know current discussions about immigration create tons of anxiety for families who send their children sometimes on a mile walk to school where they may be addressed about an immigration issue. “Our team is deeply invested in the facts. We’re reading and learning about all aspects of this issue — what can be executed, what’s law, what’s not law, what’s an executive order. Everything we do must be based on facts.” The facts involving Trenton public schools show a severe drop in attendance throughout the city. Several K-3 schools present attendance numbers that show up to 40-percent of students miss at least 10-percent, or 16 school days annually. According to New Jersey Schools Report Card statistics, Cadwalder Elementary School posted a 49.7 attendance score, meaning almost half of the 192 students miss at least 10-percent of school time annually.  A state average notes on average 18.2 percent of students are not present for at least 10-percent of school days. “We recognize K-3 is where the absenteeism is where the issue starts. But this issue is not a one-size fits all problem,” explained Assistant Superintendent Hope Grant. “Dealing with chronic absenteeism is almost like peeling an onion, there may be layers of issues that may exist for just one student. Many of these (interventions) come down to dealing with students on an individual basis. But, yes, we recognize K-3 absenteeism is where the habit of inconsistent attendance starts.” Earle added concern about recent checks of attendance that show lower numbers since the return of Trump and immediate actions taken against unauthorized immigrants. “We have reasons to be concerned and, of course, I understand the fears of parents and why they may opt to keep their children home. We have to do our very best to eliminate that fear and anxiety for all families,” Earle admitted. Earle and Grant said the challenge for the District remains an ongoing issue and they intend to employ myriad initiatives to attract city students to school — “Every Day On Time.”