Seaside schools double down on attendance: nudges, PBIS incentives and a Dairy Queen partnership

School leaders described a multi‑pronged strategy to improve attendance across grade levels that blends communication, targeted supports and incentives. Pacific Ridge staff said they distribute parent nudge letters with individualized attendance graphs, run weekly SST meetings for tier 2/3 interventions, and use PBIS rewards and classroom incentives to recognize regular attenders.

"We're focusing on 75% attendance, and below," the Pacific Ridge presenter said when outlining the attendance team priorities and the tiered approach for students under that threshold. At the high‑school level, staff described a partnership with Dairy Queen offering a $100 credit reward for students who achieve 100% attendance for the year (Dairy Queen to subsidize some awards), and reported a notable drop in morning tardies.

Board members asked what additional tools or staff might be needed to sustain improvements; presenters outlined counselor‑led check‑ins, family referrals to care coordination and small SEL groups targeted to high‑absenteeism students. Administrators said they will return with data on how these interventions change attendance trends and on resource implications.