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Julian Thomas principal cites attendance work, suspension reduction and supports for dual-language students
Summary
Julian Thomas school leaders told the board the district school's attendance began the year strong, suspension counts are down from last year, and the school is using targeted academic supports and restorative-practices training to help students succeed.
Miss Decker, speaking for Julian Thomas School, presented the school’s goals and data to the Racine Unified School District Board of Education on Feb. 17, focusing on attendance, suspensions and literacy supports.
Decker said the school began the year with attendance above historical averages and had set a goal of 92 percent average daily attendance by year end. She reported that suspensions decreased from about 330 last year to a planned goal of about 230 this year, and at the time of the presentation she estimated year‑to‑date suspensions were around 25 (noting that suspensions historically rose later in the school year).
Decker described strategies to support students, including McGraw‑Hill Reveal math support, AGR-funded smaller class sizes in K–3 (academic achievement gap reduction), the addition of a math coach, weekly PLCs (professional learning communities), the PDSA improvement cycle, and use of Amira for oral‑reading fluency practice. She also described restorative practices training she completed and said schoolwide implementation requires extended professional development time.
Decker said the school’s dual‑language classrooms (two classrooms per grade, about 230 students total) show strong attendance, often 90 percent or higher, while non‑dual language classrooms face more attendance challenges. She said high student turnover and family mobility create added difficulty for long‑term interventions.
Board members asked for additional detail about suspension counts and restorative practices implementation. Decker said full restorative practice rollout requires multiple full training days and ongoing coaching; the school will continue implementation through spring and into the fall when resources permit.
Decker said the school uses incentives such as monthly rewards and a “duck pull” attendance recognition to encourage daily attendance and that the walking school bus program continues but is constrained by volunteer availability.
