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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:18 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Good morning, Boosters.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:22 Happy Friday. Welcome back to Your Morning Boost. Hope you have a great Friday,
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 and I also hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:28 Hope you got some plans to re-energize and recharge so you're ready to go again
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 as your school leadership journey continues.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:34 This week, as you know, we have walked through understanding absenteeism,
00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 try to identify some best practices, how we can address our current system,
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 and then setting a plan for improvement.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 All of that is great and wonderful, but now today we're going to close out our
00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 series by focusing on that crucial final step, and that is how do we effectively
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 communicate this plan to our stakeholders.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 Getting buy-in and support from our entire school community,
00:00:53 --> 00:00:58 This is going to be essential for the successful implementation and sustainability
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 of any attendance initiative.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:09 Okay, so let's dive into a few suggestions on how we can communicate our plan to our stakeholders.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 This isn't going to be just a standard message to everybody.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 We're going to need to tailor a message to each audience.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 So when we're thinking about our staff, focus on the why here.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 What we're looking for is student success.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:24 Maybe the what is going to be specific changes to their roles and responsibilities.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 Again, our staff is always going to want to know, how does this impact me?
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 And then the other part is how the training and resources that we're going to
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 provide to make sure that they are
00:01:33 --> 00:01:37 equipped to be able to do this role and emphasize their vital role here.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:41 Their role in this process is going to be key for us to see any success.
00:01:41 --> 00:01:43 Don't forget about getting down to the nitty gritty with it.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:46 I can think about a time where we were talking about a new attendance policy
00:01:46 --> 00:01:50 or some new attendance codes, and I didn't even talk to our teachers about how
00:01:50 --> 00:01:51 to enter it into our system.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 That had changed, too. So don't forget the little bits. Make sure that your
00:01:55 --> 00:02:00 staff is prepared and well-equipped to be able to handle their portion of this new initiative.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 Now, when we're talking about parents and guardians, that message is going to
00:02:03 --> 00:02:04 look a little different.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:09 We want to really emphasize the positive impact on their child's learning and their well-being.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 Take time to clearly explain what the new expectations are and how they can
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 partner with the school to see that improvement.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:20 The Education Trust has a great quote here. They say when parents understand
00:02:20 --> 00:02:24 the importance of attendance and how they can support it, it will improve outcomes.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 And I thoroughly agree with them.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:30 Now, students, we're going to frame that a little bit differently. Frame it positively.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:34 Focus on the benefits of being in school, not the negatives of not being there.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 Think about friends, learning opportunities, and involve them in the process
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 where appropriate. Help them frame that message.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:45 Help them tell that message. But again, stay in the positive.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 We're not about consequences here.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:50 We want to have students understand the importance of coming to school.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 Then also you have those community partners. We talked a lot about them this week.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:59 Highlight how our plan aligns with their missions, how their collaboration can
00:02:59 --> 00:03:03 help strengthen this community of support for families and help get students
00:03:03 --> 00:03:07 to school. Now, we also got to think about how we communicate this.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 We want to utilize a variety of channels. Don't just send an email.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:14 Emails, newsletters, school website, parent meetings, if possible,
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 and certainly social media.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 And you may also need to have some one-on-one conversations,
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 and not just with your families of students who are habitually absent.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:26 You also want to have some one-on-one conversations with your big key players
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 in the community that are going to help push this message, going to help our
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 families and our community understand the purpose.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:36 Think about specific languages, too. Are there some cultural norms of your school
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 community that you need to make sure that you address.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 Be a good opportunity to use some cultural liaisons if you happen to have those
00:03:41 --> 00:03:45 within your community or can get to some outreach opportunities to get some
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 of those people to be involved in this process.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:52 The other thing to keep in mind is that we want to make sure we are transparent but also consistent.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 Clearly articulate the problem. The data is going to tell us the problem.
00:03:56 --> 00:04:01 And then when we get to the solution, tell them the plan and what our expected outcomes are.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:06 As we do this, being consistent and having that consistent messaging across
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 all of our platforms and all of our stakeholders is just going to only lead
00:04:09 --> 00:04:13 to less confusion. It's going to also add strength and validity to why we're doing what we're doing.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:18 Michael Follin has a great quote here. He says, clear and consistent communication
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 builds trust and fosters collaboration.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 And keep in mind, this is what we're looking for. We're looking for a collaborative
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 partnership between our families, our students, and our schools.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 Together, we're going to work to get our students back in school.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 This partnership and support, it's something that we should emphasize.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 Frame this initiative as a collaborative effort. It's not just a directive.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:40 This isn't just a new rule. It's a good time to reassure stakeholders that support's
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 going to be provided for successful implementation. We're not just asking our
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 families to do something without support coming from the school.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 The other thing to also keep in mind here, if you have some success stories
00:04:49 --> 00:04:54 or any positive impacts, make sure that we are continuing this loop of communication
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 and get those out there when they emerge.
00:04:56 --> 00:05:01 It's a good opportunity to show the success that we're having and tell the story to our community.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:05 Last thing I would advise is think about ways to provide some opportunities
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 for some Q&A or certainly some feedback.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:11 Be a good time to host some information sessions or Q&A forums where your stakeholders
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 and community members can ask questions and provide some input.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:18 The chances of us always thinking about every single thing are just pretty slim to none.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:23 So get that feedback from your stakeholders and providing those opportunities
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 not only is a good look for us out in front of our community so they can see
00:05:26 --> 00:05:30 us in action, but it also shows that we are doing this as a partnership again.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 Be open to that feedback, though. Be willing to make some minor adjustments.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 We may have to tweak the plan based on some constructive criticism or,
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 again, the things we just didn't think of.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:43 The biggest piece here is to get that information so we have the opportunity
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 to be able to make adjustments to that plan.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:53 Okay, to wrap up Friday and wrap up this week on student absenteeism,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 we talked today about communicating this plan to our stakeholders.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:00 And it's really about tailoring the message. We want to use diverse channels.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 We want to be transparent.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:07 Don't forget to emphasize the partnership and then also provide those avenues for feedback.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:11 This is like orchestrating a symphony, and every instrument needs to play its part.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:15 Clear communication as the conductor, ensuring everyone is on the same page,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:20 working in harmony towards the beautiful outcome of increased student presence and success.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 Remember, when our community understands and believes in our vision,
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 our plan gains incredible momentum.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:29 Thanks for listening this week. I hope you've had a wonderful week.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:32 If you're looking for some resources on how to develop this plan and get you
00:06:32 --> 00:06:36 started, get you going down the right road, reach out to AWB Education.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 We'd be happy to help you or at least get you in touch with the people that
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 certainly can. You don't have to go at this alone.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 A quick little reach out is going to help get you that information.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 Otherwise, thank you again for listening.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:49 Have a wonderful weekend. We will talk with you again next week.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:54 You have been listening to Your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:06:56 --> 00:07:00 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:05 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:09 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.