Boost Spring Attendance with a Family Engagement Campaign!

Spring is in the air! These are some of the busiest months of the year in schools, and yet... student attendance often plummets before and after spring break. School and district leaders can get ahead of this pattern by using a well-rounded family engagement plan.

We've curated the best advice around (including from the experts at Attendance Works) to outline a "Springtime Slump" family attendance campaign. Ask your community stakeholders for ideas and input to customize and strengthen this plan!

Initial Planning

• Meet with school administrators to discuss the goals of the spring attendance campaign and to discuss the root causes of poor attendance.
• Identify key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, parents, and community members, who will be involved in the campaign.
• Establish a timeline for the campaign, including dates for events, workshops, and outreach efforts.

Communication Strategy

• Develop a communication plan outlining how information about the campaign will be shared with parents and the community.
• Utilize multiple channels such as newsletters, emails, social media, messaging platforms and phone calls to reach parents and caregivers.
• Kick off the campaign with a letter to parents. Check out this example!
• Translate materials and messages into languages spoken by families within the school community.

Parent Workshops and Information Sessions

• Organize workshops to educate parents about the importance of regular school attendance, particularly during the springtime.
• Collaborate with school staff and outside experts to provide practical tips and strategies.
• Offer workshops at convenient times and locations to maximize parent participation. Use surveys to gauge ideal scheduling.

Incentive Programs

• Develop incentive programs to motivate students to attend school during the spring months.
• Partner with local businesses or organizations to provide rewards such as gift cards, certificates, or small prizes for families with excellent attendance.
• Use your communication platform to generate awareness and excitement.

Attendance Challenges and Competitions

• Organize attendance challenges and competitions among classrooms, grade levels, or even the entire school.
• Set clear goals and benchmarks for attendance improvement and track progress regularly.
• Celebrate milestones and achievements with rewards, recognition ceremonies, or special events.

Family Engagement Events

• Plan family engagement events focused on building relationships between parents, students, and school staff.
• Host family nights, picnics, field days or other fun activities where families can connect with each other and learn about how much happens at school every day!
• Incorporate attendance-related activities and information into the events.

Follow-Up and Support

• Provide ongoing support to families by offering resources and assistance to overcome barriers to attendance.
• Follow up with parents who may need more support to improve their child's attendance.
• Maintain open communication channels to address any concerns or questions from parents.

Evaluation and Reflection

• Evaluate the campaign's effectiveness by collecting data on the open rates of your digital messages and RSVPs. An FRM can give you this visibility.
• Gather feedback from parents, students, teachers, and staff to assess the impact of the campaign and identify areas for improvement.
• Use findings to make informed decisions for future efforts.

By fostering collaboration among families, schools, and the community, districts can effectively address attendance challenges and promote student success!