Small Changes, Big Impact: Solving the Attendance Crisis for Staff and Students

Outline

1. Introduction (5 minutes)
Hook: Start with a brief, relatable story about the challenge of attendance.
Problem/Solution: Frame the session as a shift from punitive measures to a culture of belonging.
Session Goal: Explain that attendees will leave with a practical playbook of small, actionable ideas to improve attendance for both students and staff.
Artifacts: Briefly introduce the five artifacts attendees will create during the session.

2. The Foundation: A Culture of Belonging (10 minutes)
Core Principle: Emphasize the importance of the message, "We love having you here."
Artifact Creation: Guide attendees to begin drafting their Tiered Attendance Plan, focusing on how their school can communicate this core message at different levels (whole school, small groups, individual).
Discussion: Share and brainstorm ideas for fostering a welcoming environment.

3. Communication and Celebration (15 minutes)
Why It Matters: Discuss how transparency and positive reinforcement drive engagement.
Artifact Creation:
Walk attendees through creating a Weekly Communication & Celebration Calendar.
Provide examples of visual data displays and simple celebration ideas.
Have attendees start their Staff and Student Recognition System, listing non-monetary and low-cost prizes.
Activity: Pair-and-share activity where attendees share one idea for a weekly celebration.

4. Building Community: Meetings and Squads (15 minutes)
Shared Responsibility: Explain how these structures empower students and staff.
Artifact Creation:
Guide the creation of a "Monday Morning Meeting" Blueprint. Provide a simple, repeatable agenda.
Transition to the "Mixed Grade Level Squads" Implementation Guide. Have attendees outline the purpose and structure of these groups.
Activity: Small group brainstorm on potential themes or activities for a "Monday Morning Meeting."

5. Putting It All Together & Next Steps (10 minutes)
Review: Briefly recap the key concepts and the purpose of each artifact.
Call to Action: Encourage attendees to select one small change to implement immediately.
Q&A: Open the floor for questions and final thoughts.

6. Conclusion (5 minutes)
Summary: Reiterate that a culture of belonging is the most effective tool for improving attendance.

Outcomes

Attendees will create the following artifacts:
A Tiered Attendance Plan: A customized roadmap outlining actionable strategies for students and staff.
Weekly Communication & Celebration Calendar: A schedule for sharing attendance data and recognizing successes.
A "Monday Morning Meeting" Blueprint: An agenda template for starting the week with a positive, attendance-focused message.
"Mixed Grade Level Squads" Implementation Guide: A plan for structuring these groups to foster belonging.
Staff and Student Recognition System: A list of ideas for celebrating attendance with non-monetary and low-cost prizes.

Supporting research

Books used: Be 1% Better, The 55 Essentials, Orland 135 Chronic Absenteeism Guide, "Attendance Matters" resources