River East Transcona SD Attendance ProjectFunded by Manitoba EducationAttendance Initiative Grant2011-2013

RETSD Attendance ProjectProject Initiator: Joan Trubyk, Assistant Superintendent Student Services

Project Lead: Connie Boutet, Manager Student Services

Project Participants:

Year 1: Sara McGowan, Attendance Facilitator

Year 2: Salisbury Morse Place School Marjorie Millman, Principal Libby Powell, Guidance Counsellor Michelle Juarez, Attendance Facilitator

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Background In June, 2011 RETSD was awarded a two-year

Attendance Initiative Grant by ME to develop strategies that address school attendance issues

As there are many possible reasons for student absence from school, a Needs Assessment was conducted to identify the specific barriers to school attendance within the RETSD community

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Project Goals

Year 1 To identify the major factors contributing to student absences in RETSD

Year 2To use this information to develop and implement interventions that will improve student attendance

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Target Group Early years students (K to Grade 6) Absence rate between 10 and 20% in 2010-

2011

Rationale Proactive, early intervention before attendance

problems become chronic and intractable

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Procedures Divisional data were compiled to identify the

population of K to 6 students who had a 10-20% absence rate from school the previous year

Random sample of 25 students (representing 18 schools) was selected for participation

Attendance Facilitator was hired to gather data through Pupil file review (school attendance history) and interviews with school staff and parent/guardian

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Data Collected1. Level of concern expressed by school

staff and parent/guardian2. Reasons for student absence3. Interventions to improve attendance4. Comparison of school and home

perspectives

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Results: LEVEL OF CONCERN Most schools were Not Concerned or

Slightly Concerned about the student’s absences (60%)

Most parents/guardians Not Concerned or Slightly Concerned about absences (20/25)

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1School Trends If students missed a couple of non-

consecutive days per month, absences often went undetected

If parent/guardian typically called to inform the school of their child’s absence, school not usually concerned

If student was doing well academically and socially, school not concerned about absences

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Parent Trends Some parents felt justified in keeping their

children out of school (e.g., birthdays, family trips, practice for community play)

Several parents kept their child home during cold weather

If one sibling missed school, often the others would too

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1School Results: Top 3 REASONS FOR STUDENT ABSENCE

#1 Home-Based Factors 14/25 Limited parenting skills Parent works nights Parent has chronic illness (physical or mental) Parent is overwhelmed Parent needs child’s help at home Child allowed to stay home for minor illness

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1#2 School Not Valued 5/25 Parent/family doesn’t value regular school

attendance

#3 Disconnect With School 3/25 Student feels unconnected/unwanted at school Student feels unsuccessful at school Student or parent reports bullying Parent is angry with the school

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Parent Results: REASONS FOR ABSENCE#1 Home-Based Factors 14/25 Overwhelmed with life stress Minimal supports Minor illness of child#2 Disconnect With School 4/25#3 Family Breakdown or Crisis

6/25Student Affected by Mental HealthSchool Not Valued

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 1Results: INTERVENTIONS TRIED

Majority of schools reported few or no interventions to address student’s absences

Most frequently reported were Principal Called Home or Classroom Teacher Called Home

Majority of parents reported few or no interventions A few sought help from neighbors, friends, family

or an outside agency

Divisional Recommendations for 2012-2013

1. Implement evidence-based school-wide and classroom interventions to improve student attendance (universal population)

2. Better system for tracking student attendance at each school; early identification and follow-up of students with poor attendance (targeted population)

3. Parent education regarding importance of regular school attendance.

Divisional Recommendations for 2012-2013

5. Connect students and families with divisional and community resources

6. Partner with community agencies to provide parents with education and support to address the more common reasons for student absence (e.g., minor illness and family stress)

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2

Welcome to Salisbury Morse Place School!

Marjorie Millman - Principal Libby Powell - Middle Years Guidance

Counsellor Michelle Juarez - Attendance Facilitator

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2

Salisbury Morse Place School

Located in the East Kildonan community Serves Kindergarten - Grade 8 Dual track school Working class area Two Manitoba housing complexes in area Numerous rental and side by side houses Culturally diverse population/large newcomer

population

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolIssues being addressed:

Student attendance- Tracking of and intervention with K to 8 students who missed 10% or more of school each month from September- January

Parental involvement- Educating parents on the importance of regular school attendance and providing supports - brochures, list of community resources, web and newsletter information

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolMethods to address issues:1. Part-time Attendance Facilitator hired(Nov- Mar)2. Data collection - looking at attendance records at

the end of every month3. Conducting student interviews - listening to the

child’s voice and reasons for missing school4. School’s responsibility - secretaries make phone

calls home daily; school staff involved in meeting with parents, letters sent home, staff speaking to students, referring to SS supports; staff recognizing students at assemblies, use of truant officers

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions: Interviews- were conducted with students

who missed 10% or more in a month Follow-ups- were conducted with students

in grades 6-8 whose attendance declined from October-December

Alarm clocks- were purchased for those students (Gr. 6-8) who said they didn’t have one and could make use of one

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions: Attendance letter - was sent out in January for

parents of K-5 students explaining the role of the Attendance Facilitator and the importance of regular school attendance

Attendance information - was placed on the school’s website and inserted in school newsletters

Certificates and rewards - students with perfect or improved attendance were recognized during school assemblies (certificates, rewards)

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions: Attendance Brochures- were given to

students who were interviewed Presentations - Attendance Facilitator

spoke on attendance issues during Kindergarten open house, Grade 6 open house, as well as Parent Association Meeting; brochures were also distributed at this time

Attendance posters - were purchased and placed in high traffic areas

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place SchoolInterventions:Continue use of: Truant Officer-divisional officer used

with students who miss 20% or more Staff members- secretaries making

phone calls home everyday, teachers making phone calls home when notice a pattern of students missing, letters being sent home, meeting with parents

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Average number of students missing 10%

or more per month

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Average Absence By Month (Overall)Note n = 81 to 85 (depending on the month).

Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan0

0

0

19%22%

19%

24% 25%

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Interview DataTotal number of interviews conducted = 68Composed of open-ended questions: What does your household look like? How do you get to school? What is your morning routine? Who wakes you up? Do you use an alarm clock? Is there anything the school could do to help

you improve your attendance?

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Student Interviews Conducted by Grade

Grade # of interviews

Kindergarten 6Grade 1 5Grade 2 4Grade 3 4Grade 4 6Grade 5 3Grade 6 12Grade 7 9Grade 8 18

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Interview responses were recorded and categorized into the following reasons:- Home-based factors - Student affected by mental illness- Student affected by addictions- Disconnect from school- School not valued- Illness- Weather related- Family breakdown/crisis- Family vacation

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Reasons for Absence

ILL SNV FBC HBF DWS FV SAMH WR0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

38%

27%

14%

8%

3% 3% 3% 3%

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Follow-Up:Meetings were held with principal, attendance facilitator, guidance counsellor and manager of SSU to problem-solve/develop intervention plan for each student

Possible Outcomes: Referrals to Student Services (social work,

psychology) Follow-up with Attendance Facilitator Follow-up with Guidance Counsellor

RETSD Attendance Project – Year 2Salisbury Morse Place School Progress

Worsened Stayed the Same Improved0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

40%

12%

48%

Lessons Learned (so far)

Social issues, emotional difficulties, mental health problems and poverty are contributing factors to absenteeism in our school community.

Challenges Getting students and parents to understand the

importance of regular school attendance and arriving to school on time

Staff is often unable to contact parents Teachers finding the time to record when a

student is absent or late and any contact with parents

Because of the large newcomer population, language barriers are often present, unaware of the importance of school attendance and laws

SustainabilityDepends on… More parental education and involvement Teacher commitment to continue to make

phone calls home for those students who have unexplained absences

Availability of guidance counsellor (or some other staff person) to track and follow-up with attendance issues

Sustainability Frequent and continued recognition of

students with improved or perfect attendance

Willingness of school staff to continue to build relationships with students and their parents/ guardians

Identify and work with students who have chronic tardiness as this often leads to absenteeism

Sustainability Continue to use Truant Officer for those

students who miss 20% of more Development of a Divisional

Attendance Committee with the goal of partnering with schools and other groups(CFS, Police, Social Assistance, Housing, etc.)

THE ENDContact information:

Marjorie MillmanSalisbury Morse Place School795 Prince Rupert Ave.Winnipeg, ManitobaR2K 1W6Phone: 204.668.9304mmillman@retsd.mb.ca