School Supports

  • Strategies Schools Use for Attendance

     

    1. Warm and Welcoming School Climate.
    2. Positive Relationships with Students and Families.  
    3. Clear Expectations and Communication About Attendance.

     

    What happens when these strategies are not enough to keep students from missing more than one day per month?

     

     

    Attendance Tiers of Support

    Attendance Works: Belonging to School

     

    All students are provided Tier I support at all Del Norte schools.  Students needing attendance support move up the pyramid from Tier I to Tier II for more personalized care.  When students have severe chronic absence, missing 20% of school days or more, then a multi-disciplinary team works with the family to create an attendance success plan to help students get back on track.

    Attendance Works Three Tiers Framework to Improve Attendance

     

    Click the image above to learn more about how the Three Tiers Framework can help to improve attendance.

     

    Three Tiers Framework to Improve Attendance with percentages. Click this image to learn more about the three tiered system

     

    Click the image above to learn more about the Three Tiers Framework to Improve Attendance 

     

     

    Foundational “Whole School” Support Includes        

    • Positive relationships between school staff, students and families
    • Welcoming, socially-emotionally safe, trauma-informed school climate
    • Access to technology and connectivity
    • Active engagement of parents and students in planning and problem-solving
    • A schedule of classes and where/how they are held
    • A culture of continuous improvement
    • Enrichment activities and clubs

     

    Tier I Universal Prevention Includes

    • Community building to create belonging and connection
    • Individual wellness check and connectivity assessments 
    • Personalized outreach and communication to families when students are absent 
    • Clear, concise and consistent communication about schedules and expectations 
    • The School Nutrition Program provides 2 meals each day a student attends
    • Invite families to design the school’s attendance plan

    Tier II Early Intervention Includes

    • Small group counseling to provide support for students dealing with anxiety 
    • Using absenteeism data to activate targeted supports 
    • Access to learning supports to catch up on missed instruction
    • Additional tech support and training for families and students 
    • Assist a family with identifying a medical home / family health practitioner 
    • Assisting a family with signing up for public programs e.g. Medicaid, SNAP, UIHS etc. 

    Tier III Intensive Intervention Includes

    • Conduct empathy interview
    • Connect family with community supports
    • Connect with a tutor or other individualized academic support 
    • Intensive outreach to locate student and family and assess situation 
    • Individual Plan based on Identified Needs 

     

    Whether students are entering school for the first time, transitioning to a new grade, or navigating distance learning during a pandemic, something that remains true is trusting relationships between educators and families are the foundation for a successful school year for students. With a trusting relationship – built intentionally, thoughtfully, and at the beginning of the year – educators and families operate as partners, ensuring students have what they need.

     

     

     
    Guiding Principles

    Be authentic.

    Family engagement is people work — sharing yourself authentically with families will help quickly build trust and rapport. Creating a strong sense of shared humanity can help us feel connected.

    Center on the student.

    Ask about hopes, dreams, and expectations. This is an incredible opportunity for the teacher, student, and family to align on what’s most important to each of them in supporting the student’s academic success.

    Focus on what is important to the family.

    These conversations should emphasize building connections. Focus on the relationship while following the family’s lead. Some families might want to share and get to know your background; others might want academic information. Many will want both!

    Consistency is key.

    Relationships take time. These strategies will start the process of building relationships. Still, it is frequent and consistent communication that allows relationships to grow and sustain, especially if you do not have the opportunity to connect frequently with families in-person.

    All families receive outreach.

    Every family deserves to have a trusting relationship with their child’s teacher. Families should see that relationship building is for everyone!


    https://flamboyanfoundation.org/beginning-of-year-relationship-building/ 

     

    When we work Together, Students Thrive

    1. Chronic absence reflects and contributes to educational inequity.

     

    2. Building strong, trusting relationships that promote a feeling of belonging is fundamental to improving student attendance and engagement.

     

    3. Students are more likely to attend school if they feel safe, connected and supported.

     

    4. A positive, problem-solving approach driven by data will improve attendance.

     

    5. Keeping students, families and school staff physically and emotionally healthy supports attendance.

     

    6. When the whole community collaborates with families and schools, we can overcome barriers to attendance and engagement.

     

     

     

      

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