The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Good morning! Last day of seeing all my kids today (field day & yearbook madness tomorrow)! Such fun activities planned ❤️. Then the pile of books to read might just get attacked...finally 😂😂 #bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Stop the lockstep test prep and make school more conducive to real learning and preparation for students' future. My Student-Centered Learning page https://t.co/l34E825ehD#StuVoice "Let students drive while teachers guide." #bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
At the risk of being to simplistic...one must create an environment (in school and in classrooms) where students actually WANT to be there! Are they doing things they care about or are they just doing school? #bfc530
We have chronic absentees (not medical) that our office staff are routinely calling to get to school. We send letters about possibilities of retention/expulsion, but expulsion is opposite of what the student needs. They need to be at school. Major gaps in their education. #bfc530
Morning #bfc530
Our attendance policy allows for 8 missed days. We have A & B days. Kids are only allowed to miss 8 classes before they will fail for the year... And too many lates turn into absences.
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Ts call & send messages home via tech. Our office staff also comes home. When needed, if absences are extreme, our social worker will make contact. Our main concern is whether or not they’re okay, then we worry about the learning they’re missing. #bfc530#LoveLiteracyLearning
We're trying a phone call home after 3rd late or absence with no note. Then lunchtime detention after 5th. Seems to be helping - halls are clearing out faster.
#bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
The best strategy to combat absences and tardiness is to explain to parents/students the importance of being at school every day and on time. And you can't just say "Because it's important." Why is timeliness important? Why is showing up every day important? #bfc530
Ensure that we continue to value student voice and choice...students must feel that who they are and what they have to offer matters, right up to the last day of school! #bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
Hi all- if we start seeing a pattern of absences/tardiness, we usually bring parents in for a meeting to touch base. It's not a blaming-thing; more of a chance to chat about what we can do to help the a.m. routine & let them see what happens first thing in the classroom #bfc530
Our attendance policy is only at the hs level, 20 absences for the year and the S could be denied credit. Letters go out 3 times before the final letter. #bfc530
I was talking with my sister, who is a social worker for the state. She said it is something that could be report to DCF bc it could be the indication that something else is going on. #bfc530
Our attendance policy is only at the hs level, 20 absences for the year and the S could be denied credit. Letters go out 3 times before the final letter. #bfc530
We have opened our media center, gym, and maker space up early each day this year for students. We also installed an Identi-Kid checkout/checkin system. We require parents to come in to sign their child in that is tardy. This has curbed tardies tremendously. #bfc530
That’s a tough one, but mainly try to make school the place the want to run in to, not run out of! Keep connected to home and check in on kids, Tardy to class-lunch-n-learn #bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
I don't disagree but reality for some of my Ss is staying home to babysit sick siblings. Driving younger siblings to school which makes my guys late. Their priorities aren't always school. #bfc530
That's a great question. I've read recently about how our current school schedules do not at all correspond with the rhythm of teens' bodies and their optimal times for learning. #bfc530
We have historically had a huge problem with this at my school. We began an on-time recognition (1 kid per grade level per day) announcing their names & they get a certificate. I think it has helped. #bfc530
Love the "right up to the last day" comment! It's part of my role to model how every second is of value for helping my students learn , grow, and be engaged in something meaningful. No "let's just watch a video" days! #bfc530
Engaging, inviting, safe, a community-all things we need to do to make kids WANT to come to school. Also strong counseling staff who are aware of home situations. Proactive is always going to work over reactive. Mostly creating desire/need to learn and being a safe place #bfc530
In some cases, parents are silently voicing their opinions to education & political leaders of the state of education. When testing is the focus instead of sparking wonder in kids, what's the point of going to school? #bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
I feel like the solution is start young with good strategies and habits for Ss ans Ps. Much harder to change routines and behaviors as the Ss is older... #bfc530
It seems like staying connected and helping parents and students understand the “why” can make a difference when it comes to absences and late arrival. #bfc530
We know that absences often have roots in out-of-school factors like poverty, family mobility, child care, and safety concerns. Assigning at-risk students a “monitor” to build trust between ss & families, id. barriers to attendance, & check in regularly #bfc530
Having had a student who missed a lot due to illness, I think that it should be dealt with in a case by case basis. At the very least, there should be personalized contact, not just a letter. #bfc530
No, I get it. But I also truly don't think a lot of parents/kids who are absent/late that much understand why it's important. At least start them with the "Why" and then we'll move on to investigating the more specific issues. #bfc530
I tried to start a double school day in secondary - early start, 7:45 & late start 9:00. The interesting offshoot was: I couldn't get enough Ss on board with the late start to make it work. #bfc530
I have no statistics to support this, but I think also that having the media center open as many mornings as possible helps too. Kids love to be able to hang out with their friends & use tech. If it gets them to school on time, it’s a win! #bfc530
It comes down to parents. We have those for whom education is not as important as ——? convenience? Their own social comfort? Many families who struggle work extremely hard on behalf of their kids’ education, but this chunk? Not so much. #bfc530
Well said! It all comes down to relationships...when we get to know the individual needs of the student and what they are dealing with, we can often help with interventions that no one-size-fits-all policy can touch. #bfc530
And I wish we knew better to include them, to bring them into the fold. Their children are really missing out and we don’t get to know or help them grow much. #bfc530
That's a great question. I've read recently about how our current school schedules do not at all correspond with the rhythm of teens' bodies and their optimal times for learning. #bfc530
Absolutely. It would also mean juggling different schedules if elementary and secondary didn't align- further enhancing the stress load for parents with multiple children. So how to go forward? Maybe online evening options for teens? Which courses in the a.m.? #bfc530
I agree. But the question specifically asked about policies/strategies to hep out and not why these things are happening. I'm thinking of the chronic absent and tardy parents/kids. #bfc530
We have an extended day program for our at risk learners, a school adjustment counselor who does home visits, but some families stay away from all of it. #bfc530
My issues with denial of credit for 2 many absences and/or staying after to make up tardy time (both of which we practice) are that 1, it doesn't fix the problem and 2 it defines education as "seat time". Who would want to show up for that? #bfc530
Absolutely. It would also mean juggling different schedules if elementary and secondary didn't align- further enhancing the stress load for parents with multiple children. So how to go forward? Maybe online evening options for teens? Which courses in the a.m.? #bfc530
I often wonder - if Ss start later, won't they just realign their day, end up going to sleep even later and still be late? In the summer many of my students sleep till 2 in the afternoon. #bfc530
Honestly I'm much out of the loop with home instruction. I just send work And get it back for grading. Personally it's difficult to stay on top of. #bfc530
We keep trying. Positive share emails, etc. it’s great shen things click, and it’s heartbreaking when nothing works. There’s always a few kids you want to take home with you. #bfc530
You have to check out Start School Later, the ntl org. Tons of research supporting the shift, including from the APA and CDC. We are trying but $$ for extra buses and sports schedules are often bigger priority than Ss health :-( #bfc530
#bfc530 Oops...finishing my presentation for parents today on digital citizenship and did not realize the time. Have a grt day everyone! Let's go out and be our best for our students!
So true. Curious...how do you see that piece (attendance/interest) tying into pacing? I find it a question of expectations and content mastery. We also can't ignore the possibilities available with blended learning models. #bfc530
End-of-the-year chaos followed by end-of-the-year reflection. Already dreaming about what I can do better for my students. First goal: more moments for them (and me) to relax/exhale. Life for and with teens shouldn’t be this stressful. #alted#bfc530
... Sometimes we need to get over it ... probably not the policy you are looking for ... discipline is obviously not working ... a little bit of understanding goes a long way. #bfc530
#bfc530 what part of critical thinking is this? When will those motivating students to kill themselves or others be addressed instead of blaming a tool and law abiding citizens of the NRA? Time to hold the schools, and educators inciting violence,Rage,& Killings accountable.
Yes, rural, multi-generational poverty and/or fear/shame about their own educational experiences makes it extremely difficult to make connections. #bfc530
Make your iPhone Bloodstained with RETROTONES.Kidding,plays old dial tones that annoy old people and just about everyone else.#bfc530#BadWaysToDeclineAnInvitation
#bfc530 Don't talk about students failing b/c they r poor,black, etc. when the truth is everyone can learn if they are being educated, but when u r busy with politics,Race,sex,&anger u r not teaching.Time to protect our kids from those enraging them b4 1 snaps & kills again.
Engaging students in class and stakeholders in the community is the best way to increase attendance. If ss like school they will show up and if parents trust the school they will encourage their child to attend. #bfc530
Some schools are experiencing increases in absences and tardiness (both to school & class). What effective policies/strategies can you share?
via @shighley#BFC530
These conversations are so valuable. I think sport schedules play a larger role is a lot of the push-back than many ppl are willing to admit. I know that adult schedules, busses, parents, etc. are also factors but sports come up first for many. #bfc530
#bfc530 Don't talk about students failing b/c they r poor,black, etc. when the truth is everyone can learn if they are being EDUCATED, but when u r busy with politics,Race,sex,&anger u r not teaching.This is nothing new and it's time to hold them accountable.
#bfc530 just think they never address the violence being promoted, the call for kids 2 kill themselves, b/c they so busy with politics blaming law abiding citizens& the NRA or a tool. Time to protect our kids from the real dangers no one wants to talk about b4 another killing.
We have Star Team who target Ts recommended Ss that struggle with something hindering their learning. Absences and tardiness are one of the many behaviors that can trigger a recommendation. They help get the Ss in the classrooms! #BFC530
#bfc530 want to prepare out kids for life after school? start by educating them & stop the racial,sexual,gender BS enraging them. this is Not new but it's growing and No one is stopping it. Rage and Violence is causing our kids to snap,become violent and even kill. Not a gun.
#bfc530 want to prepare out kids for life after school? STOP the racial,sexual,gender BS enraging them & Educate. Rage & Violence is causing our kids to snap,become violent and even kill. Not a gun or knife. Its the rage,& demeaning of our kids by race.
You might find the article below interesting for your query...Many Ontario High Schools have changed their start time to 8:45 or later based on research such as this...#bfc530https://t.co/J9s9hQ64z0
JUST IN: President Trump tells Fox & Friends that he thinks NFL players should "have to stand proudly" for the national anthem, and suggests that they "shouldn't be in the country" if they do not stand.
Apple still makes most of its money selling iPhones —but it's leaving money on the table by failing to embrace the biggest trend in the software industry: subscriptions. https://t.co/I331ATmRwL
A North Korean official has lashed out at US Vice President Mike Pence, calling him a "political dummy," and said Pyongyang is ready for a nuclear showdown if dialogue with the United States fails https://t.co/GWeJdgZuGa
The irony is that all of the sleep research points to improve performance for athletes. This is about scheduling. The only potential legit issue is the amount of daylight in the Northeast, making some outdoor sports, like cross country or golf difficult to schedule later #bfc530
