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Sullivan Middle School students describe attendance gains after counselor-run "Attendance Alliance"
Summary
Counselors at Sullivan Middle School presented an "Attendance Alliance" mentorship program that pairs chronically absent students with counselor mentors for short weekly meetings; presenters said attendance gaps began narrowing around week 17 and committee members praised the relationship-building approach while probing root causes.
Crystal Torres, an adjustment counselor at Sullivan Middle School, introduced the district's "Attendance Alliance," a counselor-led mentoring intervention for students with chronic absences.
"My name is Crystal Torres. I'm an adjustment counselor at Sullivan Middle School," Torres said, describing how counselors run 10- to 15-minute weekly meetings that blend relationship-building activities with individualized attendance plans. A video the presenters supplied was not played for the committee, but staff and students described their work and results.
A student participant, Niss, told the committee, "Yeah, a lot," when asked whether the group made it easier to come to school. Another student said the activities and new adult relationships helped them feel "seen in the school." Presenters said a chart of attendance trends showed the intervention beginning around week 17 and the gap between the target group and the broader student body narrowing week by week.
Committee members asked how the program addresses root causes. "I think it varies student to student," Torres replied, noting transportation, anxiety and family circumstances among the reasons children miss school. Board member Miss Lefave pressed how much could be accomplished in brief meetings; presenters said the short collective meetings were intentionally paired with existing case-management supports for tier-three students and that staff review individual data weekly and reassess monthly.
Members and community supporters praised the program's emphasis on belonging and community partnerships. School staff said the next alliance gathering will be a longer community event that includes outside partners and incentives for students who show improvement.
The presentation closed with the committee encouraging continued data monitoring and community involvement; no formal vote was required. The program will continue into next school year with staff plans to expand participation as students "graduate" from the intensive mentoring phase.
