High Impact Attendance Priorities for April

We all know about the Spring Slide, and as we advance into April, many of us may be seeing some of those springtime challenges. Spring fatigue is beginning to set in, with the bulk of absences driven by lagging energy levels and testing season disrupting routines. Many families may be slowly shifting into summer mode, planning their vacations and showing up a bit more casually. 

That’s why in this month’s professional learning session for EveryDay Labs partners, we surfaced five key attendance priorities for the month of April. Read on and get focused! 

Priority #1: Strategic Student Support 

Similar to last month, April is all about ensuring that the students approaching the 10% chronic absenteeism threshold (8-9% to be exact) are steered back on track for a strong end to the year. If that group of students feels too overwhelming to tackle all at once, you can further home in on students whose attendance has worsened over the past month, or even the past week. 

Another key group to consider are the students who are newly chronically absent. Using the EveryDay Platform makes it easy to locate these students, create an intervention group, and track their progress. 

Don’t forget to celebrate! Consider some positive reinforcement for the students who are improving and encourage their momentum. Locate them in your attendance data dashboard and send a positive text, note, or call home. The EveryDay Platform makes it easy to locate the students who could benefit from positive reinforcement, plus send those messages via the platform.

Priority #2: Identify and Address Spring Slide Patterns 

Just like spring flowers blooming, common attendance patterns may also emerge as well. Keep an eye out for students with recurring Monday or Friday absences, repeated tardies, or students with more than 2 absences within the last 10 days (sleeping in or just taking the day off after testing season is not uncommon).  Once you’ve located these students, send out a proactive text message encouraging them to attend on their challenging day, or a friendly reminder around the importance of punctuality: every minute matters.

Priority #3: Re-Engage Families after Testing 

After pushing through those long days of testing, students and families may be ready for a break. And while it’s important to take a minute and recharge, the end of the testing window shouldn’t signal that instruction has wrapped up. You may consider: 

• Sending proactive reminders that learning is still happening and important prep for the rigor of the following year shouldn’t be missed. 
• Create a “Post-Testing Watch List” and send targeted texts: locate students who have missed 1+ days in the last 5 since testing closed, have recent attendance pattern changes, and/or who are nearing the chronic absenteeism threshold. 
• Spring Milestone Communication Plan: be sure families know about all of the great things going on now through the end of the year. These unmissable days may include field day, promotion/graduation, performances, classroom celebrations, report card projects, and readiness for the next year, especially those critical transition years like Kindergarten and middle school.  

Priority #4: Launch a Finish Strong Campaign

We all talk a lot about finishing the year strong. Now is the time where the rubber meets the road, and a campaign dedicated to better attendance up through the finish line can pay off big time. What could be included in this campaign? 

• Grade level attendance challenges: harnessing the power of the collective can get students to encourage each other to show up and win every day. 
• Weekly shout-outs: everyone likes to see their hard work recognized, and celebrating students in weekly newsletters or over the announcements keeps the vibes high 
• Classroom streak recognition: It’s not about perfect attendance. Celebrate those streaks of good attendance and keep up the momentum 
• Friendly schoolwide competition: Again, don’t aim for perfection, but perhaps biggest improvements week over week or month over month 
• Emphasize the “why”: It can be easy to check out as year end approaches. A continuous reminder of the important work still happening to set students up for success next year will help prevent the common misconception that nothing important happens at the end of the year. 

Priority #5: Connect Over Quick Data Huddles 

With all of these initiatives underway, you’ve got a lot of plates spinning. Weekly 15 minute check-ins will keep you and your team on track as you make time to connect on:

• Who has recently missed 2+ days?
• Who has crossed into the 8-9% absenteeism threshold?
• What patterns are emerging?
• Which families need follow-up? 

The year isn’t over yet! By grounding yourself in these priorities (and perhaps choose just a couple) and leveraging these timely strategies, you really can end the year strong. 

Looking for a partner in attendance improvement? We’re ready to help!