Scanning

Through conversations with families, Resource staff, and counsellors, we noticed that a portion of our students struggled to attend classes regularly. Due to the growing trend of student absenteeism in the general school population as documented in School Based Team meetings, trends, and student attendance data in MyEdBC, we recognized a need to respond to this data in way that supported these students.

The analysis of individual student circumstances showed us that students encountered barriers based on their mental well-being, family dynamics, and lack of flexibility within the current structure. As a result, there was a lack of connectedness and sense of belonging to adults and peers. Our hunch is that strengthening connectedness through targeted supports centered on individual needs such as smaller class sizes, increased connection to a consistent adult, and flexible instructional practices that include tools on Social-Emotional development will increase student’s motivation to attend school on a regular basis.

Based on data collected and evidence on student attendance and feedback from staff, students, and families, our next step is to enact a collaborative student support stream between Resource, Counselling, and classroom teachers to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students to attend school regularly.