Wednesday is count day for metro Detroit schools.

Attendance numbers will directly reflect how much financial aid districts receive from the state.

The more students a district has, the more aid it will receive from the state.

"It's vitally crucial for students to be in class tomorrow,” said Earl Rickman, National School Boards Association member.

"We need money for our school that everybody because it’s very important everybody learns a lot so that they can be something in life,” said fifth-grader Jordan Lee.

Detroit Public Schools have a lot of events planned in hopes to get kids in class Wednesday.

There will be parades, raffles, cookouts, giveaways, and pizza and ice cream parties.

Detroit’s schools are looking at a $408 million dollar deficit, making tomorrow even more meaingful for district.

"Principals and their staffs have been calling families of students who may not have shown up, up to this point in time,” said Steve Wasko of Detroit Public Schools. “We called if there are any questions about their enrollment.”

Parents told Local 4 they’re doing everything they can to get the word out that Wednesday is crucial.

“Bring your kids. Get enrolled and make our Detroit Public Schools what they’re supposed to be,” said parent Derrick Lee.

According to the state, almost 2/3 of Michigan’s school districts have declining enrollment.

Other schools, such as Westwood Community Schools in Dearborn Heights are using the lure of a new Saturn Vue to help get children into school.

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