In a recent meeting of the Riverview Gardens School Board, officials outlined significant initiatives aimed at improving student attendance and enhancing the overall school climate. The discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to address chronic absenteeism, with a focus on engaging students and their families through various programs and incentives.

The district reported that approximately 85 to 89 students are currently classified as chronically absent, with targeted interventions in place to help them reach the 90% attendance threshold. School counselors and coordinators are actively meeting with these students to discuss attendance goals, while schools like Westview have implemented creative strategies such as breakfast events for parents to foster dialogue about attendance.

Attendance contracts are being enforced, and the district has conducted over 140 home visits to encourage student participation. Superintendent Dr. Tanya Patton emphasized the importance of consistent communication with families, noting that attendance discussions are integrated into various parent engagement events.

In addition to attendance strategies, the board introduced two SMART goals aimed at improving the district's climate and culture. The first goal seeks to enhance the overall school environment by 10% by spring 2024, while the second aims to reduce student discipline referrals and out-of-school suspensions by 15% by 2025. Early data indicates promising trends, with a reported 26% decrease in office referrals and nearly 30% reduction in suspensions during the first quarter of the school year.

The meeting also addressed upcoming community events, including a social emotional awareness session and a Winter Wonderland celebration, which aim to further engage families and promote a positive school culture. The district is set to launch its annual climate and culture survey, with efforts to increase participation through various communication channels, including a new district website and mobile app.

Overall, the Riverview Gardens School Board is actively pursuing strategies to improve student attendance and foster a supportive educational environment, with a commitment to ongoing assessment and community involvement.