City leaders in Newark are looking for ways to keep more children coming to school.

The city's Youth Policy Board hosted a symposium called Showing Up Matters, Shifting the Culture of Chronic Absenteeism.

Mayor Ras Baraka, community leaders and students took part in the full-day event.

Advocates say there are many reasons why students could be missing school.

"Barriers, such as inability to have quality health care, issues like chronic illness, you have issues around transportation and families paying for transportation, or having to make long commutes across the city to get their kids to school," says co-chair Lauren Wells.

The event focused on finding ways to address absenteeism, and how to better use city resources to help students get to school regularly.