Mel Atkins

Executive Director of Community & Student Affairs Grand Rapids Public Schools

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

An estimated 6.5 million additional students became chronically absent between 2018-19 & 2021-22, according to a new analysis @ProfTDee & @AP Sobering news: https://t.co/b0OhnThMqt

[Education Week @educationweek]

Why Kindergarten Attendance Matters for the Whole School https://t.co/1EH4LGiAK6

[CASEL @caselorg]

#TipTuesday: Children benefit from opportunities to practice #SEL both in school and at home.
More tips for helping kids manage their emotions at home: https://t.co/pShuLv53zT
Check out CASEL’s SEL 3 Signature Practices Playbook: https://t.co/uO43rNoAFe

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

We've worked with @FutureEd to expand our Attendance Playbook!!

We want to help education policymakers & practitioners respond to the post-pandemic absenteeism crisis by better reflecting schools’ realities during & after the pandemic.
https://t.co/RYRNfj6PsS
#SchoolEveryDay

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

@usedgov released a new resource for educators with guiding principles for student discipline

Research shows that punitive approaches don’t improve student engagement or
attendance & recommend ceasing the disproportionate use of exclusionary discipline
https://t.co/a2phuMLmP4

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

What conditions for learning can help reduce absenteeism + improve academic outcomes?

Take a look at our five-point school action framework outlining how chronic absence data can be used to diagnose & address factors that affect conditions for learning:
https://t.co/cK3LsmmjBz

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

[Students have] lost connections to peers & adults, which has been exacerbated by very challenging staffing issues in schools. But that means we need to be even more intentional about relationship building. - Hedy Chang. Great story! Listen on @npratc @EdWriters @mbaII

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

Understanding the root causes of absences as well as what motivates a student to attend can help determine the best course of action when interventions are needed.

Use our worksheet to organize your thoughts:
https://t.co/tWkM9CeHXa
#ShowingUpMatters

[CASEL @caselorg]

SEL can help build life skills & can be taught & applied at various developmental stages & across diverse cultural contexts. It can also be used to establish learning standards for academic success, school & civic engagement, wellness, & careers. Follow now for more SEL content.

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

We’re delighted to see new published research with @Carly__Robinson
Jessica Lasky-Fink and Hedy Chang @attendanceworks! Check out our early blog post about this paper: https://t.co/4MoEFpShQu #SchoolEveryDay

[Scott Martin @smartins3313]

Could you please retweet:) @MEMSPA @PaulLiabenow @MelissaUsiak @PrinRipmaster @massp @ECAN_MAISA @MichChildren @SHAPEMichigan @SHAPE_America @MASASupts @MichelleAllenMI @alles_sheila @kguerrant @vkeesler @blocht574 @Dr_Vitti @mbaII @ECAN_MAISA

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

If teachers can do only one thing while we are all at home, try to connect with your Ss in a positive way. Hedy Chang: “Whatever we do, we need to make sure teachers are checking in with students virtually — either by computer or by phone.” via @EdDiveK12: https://t.co/J6aLugJovI

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

.#Chronicabsence is a warning sign that a Ss needs help. Hedy Chang: "If you knew a kid was chronically absent or at risk of dropping out before this crisis came, you know, they're even more at risk now that this crisis is here." https://t.co/sIcKRQHQp0 #COVID19

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

The devastating impact of #chronicabsence is strongly felt by kids who already face health disparities, poverty & other challenges. Take action in school to address health-related absences w. this @healthyschools toolkit for educators: https://t.co/KGYI8nksL1 #Superintendents

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

Are you wondering how chronic absence & conditions for learning are interrelated? In a new blog post our partner @AIRInforms describes how an investment in conditions for learning can improve attendance. https://t.co/NV4PrvWOQF #SchoolEveryDay

[FutureEd @FutureEdGU]

Illness, not truancy, is the No. 1 reason students miss school. Providing health services at school—through nurses, clinics or remote providers—can help turn around absenteeism. https://t.co/8NfKxQGDxJ @AttendanceWorks @healthyschools @HealthyAmerica1 @sbh4all @schoolnurses

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

We know that improving attendance is not a one-shot deal. We've created a year-long planning calendar for schools w. sample activities for each month, from the start of the SY (July-Aug) through May-June. Download the tool & get started! https://t.co/O8sBqTrbdl #SchoolEveryDay

[Mel Atkins @mbaII]

Just started reading this great resource.

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

Nice read: Is My Child Missing Too Much School? | For Parents | US News https://t.co/gay1rae19d