1. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?1 Module 6: Integrating Attendance into Parent Engagement Attendance & Truancy Among Virginia Students

2. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?2 This PowerPoint serves as No. 6 in a series of modules designed to equip Virginia school divisions to reduce truancy and absenteeism. This module encourages schools and community partners to integrate attendance messaging into on-going activities aimed at engaging students and families in school. The Purpose

3. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?3 I.Learning goals review II.Review what it means to engage families as partners in cultivating attendance III.Identify opportunities to integrate attendance into on-going activities to engage families Today’s Agenda

4. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?4 1.Examine the connection between attendance and family engagement. 2.Learn why attendance should be not be treated as a separate educational issue. 3.Identify opportunities to integrate attendance into existing family engagement activities. 4.Find out about available resources and materials for helping communicate to families about attendance and chronic absence. Learning Goals

5. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?5 Think about a child you know with good attendance. What do you think motivates his or her parents to ensure that child attends school every day? Warm Up

6. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?6 Going to School Every Day Reflects When Families Have Hope for a better future + Faith that school will help you or your child succeed + Capacity Resources, skills, knowledge needed to get to school

7. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?7 Engage families early. Begin partnering with families to improve student attendance while children are young and parents are typically more involved. Establish a positive relationship with parents, before discussing a student’s poor attendance. Often, schools contact families only when there is a problem. Communicate clear expectations and support. Orient parents to school policies and expectations for student attendance and on-time arrival. Take a strengths-based approach. Don’t assume if a child is chronically absent that it is a signal that parents do not care about the child’s education or attendance. Key Principals for Engaging Parents :

8. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?8 High Cost Low Cost Recognize good and improved attendance Educate and engage students and families Monitor attendance data Establish positive and welcoming school climate Identify and address common attendance barriers A critical ingredient of Tier I Responses is family engagement TIER I All students Provide personalized early outreach Meet with student/family to develop plan Offer attendance Mentor/Buddy TIER II Students missing 10-19% (moderate chronic absence) Intensive case management with coordination of public agency and legal response as needed TIER III Students who missed 20% or more of school (severe chronic absence)

9. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?9 Creating a Welcoming Environment Some ideas include: Greet students, by name, at the door in the morning. Welcome back students who missed school, let them know you noticed. Promote a sense of belonging and connection with classmates and school officials. Contact families regularly with good news & bad so they feel connected to the school.

10. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?10 Ensuring Your Campus is Healthy Eliminate mold and vermin that can exacerbate asthma & respiratory illness. Make sure your school is properly ventilated. Promote healthy habits such as hand washing. Provide access to health care through a school nurse or heath and dental providers who visit the site.

11. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?11 Ensuring Students Feel Safe Start with the route to school. If traffic or community violence is a problem, work with parents on a safe walk-to-school effort. Deal with bullying swiftly and effectively. Create an environment sensitive to students who suffer trauma. 21.2% of U.S students say they miss school because they don’t feel safe. 15.5% of students who are bullied say they missed 1-2 days because of safety concerns.

12. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?12 1.Start before the school year begins. 2.Encourage principals and teachers to talk about attendance at back-to-school nights, parent- teacher conferences & other opportunities. 3.Get involved with Attendance Awareness Month. When are good times to message about attendance?

13. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?13 Ideas for Before School Year Begins Back-to-school letters, social media, phone calls or visits from teachers should convey: The connection between attendance and achievement. The date and time that school starts. Reminders about required immunizations. The school system’s policies on excused and unexcused absences. Encourage partners— summer learning, afterschool programs or health providers--to share the message.

14. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?14 Ideas for After School Year Begins Once the school year begins, emphasize attendance at: Back-to-School student assemblies. Back-to-School nights for parents. Parent-teacher conferences. Monthly or classroom newsletters. Keep messages positive while mentioning that families will be contacted if absences start adding up.

15. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?15 Consider the Attendance Works Parent Video & Discussion Guide SETTING THE STAGE VIDEO (6 minutes) FACILITATED CONVERSATION – THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHRONIC ABSENCE – HOW TO IMPROVE ABSENTEEISM FAMILY PRACTICE INCREASE SOCIAL CAPITAL IDENTIFY HOW SCHOOL CAN HELP COMMUNITY SERVICES http://www.attendanceworks.org/ tools/for-parents/bringing- attendance-home-video/

16. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?16 Social Capital Families can turn to other families for help Formal services (Families have health care, transportation, housing, etc) Family Practice Families nurture a habit of attendance at home What Helps a Family Have the Capacity to Get Their Children to School?

17. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?17 Make Creating Back Up Plans a Norm: Student Attendance Success Plan Tip: Start with the Help Bank and the Calendar on the 3 rd page. Offer up first page and calendar as homework.

18. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?18 Tips for Engagement Integrate attendance into events for the entire school community. Remember that parents are not easily motivated to show up to meetings solely focused on student attendance. Inspire attendance at meetings by publicly honoring families with good and improved attendance.

19. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?19 Discussion Questions 1. What does your school do to spread the word about good attendance before the year begins? During back-to-school events? ---How can those efforts be enhanced? 2. What obstacles do you face to reaching families before the school year begins or at the start of the year? --Which community partners can help you share messaging?

20. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?20 Throughout September, organizations and communities nationwide use Attendance Awareness Month to build awareness of the importance of attendance. To get involved, school systems can:Attendance Awareness Month Leverage Attendance Awareness Month Sign up for the Attendance Awareness Month list serve Participate in the webinars Review the Count Us In ToolkitCount Us In Toolkit Issue a proclamation Sign up for the Superintendent’s Call to Action Host an event

21. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?21 How can your school division use Attendance Awareness Month to convey the importance of good attendance and get the school year off to a strong start? How can you carry this message through the year, ensuring good attendance around the winter holidays and in June? Questions

22. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?22 Summary Reflections 1.To what extent does our school engage students and families in reducing chronic absence? 2.Are our materials conveying the right messages? 3.What’s the first step we should take?

23. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?23 Learn More Family Engagement Toolkit http://www.attendanceworks.org/tools/for-parents/bringing-attendance-home-toolkit/ The Toolkit Contains: Research showing a positive relationship between parent involvement and attendance. Key Principles for engaging parents on attendance. Materials to share with parents about the importance of good attendance. Interactive Exercises to spark awareness, conversation and action with groups of parents.

24. Reducing Chronic Absence: Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do?24 Virginia Absenteeism & Truancy Professional Development Series 1. Understanding Chronic Absenteeism 2. Frameworks for Reducing Chronic Absence 3. Establishing School Attendance Teams 4. Using Data to Drive Action 5. Messaging Attendance 6. Integrating Attendance In Parent Engagement 7. Utilizing Parent-Teacher Conferences to Talk with Families about Attendance 8. Recognizing Good and Improved Attendance 9. Providing Personalized Early Outreach 10. Identifying barriers 11. Creating opportunities for peer learning 12. Engaging Community Partners 13. State Attendance Laws and Regulations