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District outlines automated attendance letters and Skyward changes to reduce chronic absenteeism
Summary
Derby Public Schools staff described a streamlined attendance-notification process using Skyward, automated "nudge" letters for chronic absenteeism, and plans to better integrate activity/excused absences and positive-attendance tools.
Derby Public Schools officials on Aug. 4 updated the board on a districtwide effort to standardize attendance reporting and to reduce chronic absenteeism through automation in the new Skyward student information system.
Dr. John Gresham, director of special services, said a stakeholder group of administrators, social workers and counselors redesigned attendance notifications to produce consistent "nudge" letters and statutory truancy notifications. "This system...is now automated through the new Skyward system," he said; reports run weekly and letters are routed to building principals for review so staff can exclude students with medical or documented reasons.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Putnam Jackson and Director of Technology Dennis Elich said the district is still tuning Skyward to avoid false alerts when students leave for approved activities. "We're hopeful that we're able to develop a system that is better suited to filter out the stuff that shouldn't be going out while keeping the stuff that should be going out going," Elich said. Katie Toole, director of teaching and learning, asked for patience while staff refine the notifications and noted the system allows more specific attendance coding that should prevent activity-related excused absences from triggering parent alerts.
Derby High School principal Grama Pontius and others described local steps at buildings to accelerate roster and activity notifications to reduce errors. The high school plans to test student badge scanning integration with attendance records; the district is also exploring positive-attendance tools from a Skyward partner.
Board members asked how teachers or parents can correct mistaken absence notifications; staff advised parents may submit an absence request online or contact the teacher or attendance office to have records corrected. Officials said the district is partnering with the county attorney and the Department for Children and Families on aligned communications around truancy and supports.
