Get ready to explore the pressing issue of kindergarten absenteeism in our latest podcast episode. Shelley,Steve, and Stan are your guides on this educational journey, as they discuss the challenges and solutions surrounding kindergarten attendance post-COVID-19. Discover why some families are hesitating to send their kids to school and how a shift from a punitive approach to a collaborative, restorative one is making a difference. Don’t miss this engaging conversation that sheds light on the importance of building connections and fostering a sense of belonging in early education. Tune in now for insights that can reshape the future of education! Read the full article “Reaching kindergarten parents is key to addressing dramatic post-pandemic rise in chronic absenteeism, panel says” Check out restorative resources at www.restorative.ca Keywords: Senior Kindergarten, Absenteeism, Pandemic, Early Education, Equity, Preschool, Restorative Practices, Parents, Community, Attendance
Oct 04
Breaking the Absenteeism Puzzle Sept.5/23
Welcome to another episode of our podcast. I’m Stan, joined by Shelley and Steve, and today we’re delving into a topic that’s been making headlines recently: chronic absenteeism among students. In Season 8, Episode 5, we tackle the critical issue of too many kids missing school and explore how schools can bring them back into the fold. It’s a problem that touches the heart of education, and we’re here to dissect it. We’ll be unraveling the suggestions from a recent news article on how to address this issue effectively. From talking directly to families to avoiding punitive responses, there’s a lot to discuss. So, whether you’re an educator, a parent, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of the education system, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Here’s the link to the news article https://news.yahoo.com/too-many-kids-… Find out more about how a restorative approach to student absenteeism can help solve the attendance puzzle. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca Check out our free resources at www.restorative.ca
Aug 15
A Stay Interview: hold onto valuable staff – Aug. 15/23
“1. What do you look forward to when you come to work each day?
2. If you were to consider leaving this position, why would that be?
3. What factors may trigger a departure?” (Elizabeth Heubeck in EducationWeek)
These are terrific questions to initiate meaningful conversations with staff in September and October. Intentionally investing time in your teachers and your staff can help to retain them in their positions. Recruitment and retention of teaching staff after Covid-19 pandemic has become increasingly challenging. Where we vary from the author’s article is in our recommendation for an inclusive rather than exclusive Stay Interview process. Using a Fair Process of Engagement, Explanation and Expectation Clarity (Kim and Maugborgne) builds connections around why people stay working with you in school and helps to plan for ways to increase staff retention. Read the article here https://www.edweek.org/leadership/the…
Find out more about how to use restorative questions to build connections with the adults on your school staff. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
Aug 15
Belonging, Voice, Agency: Recent research on impact of Restorative Practices – Aug.14/23
Many schools and districts initially involved in restorative practices have let it slide. Here’s a discussion of research which underscores the value of a relational approach to education by fostering belonging and transforming schools. The 6 year study of 485 California middle schools shows increased student achievement, reduces suspensions and reduced disparities between groups. The recommendations include: 1. Incorporate indicators of exclusion, restorative practices, and school climate into continuous improvement and accountability systems 2. Secure buy-in from school staff and community members. 3. Invest in ongoing education and support for all staff to develop restorative mastery and to expand access to restorative practices among all students. 4. Provide long-term investment and support for restorative practice implementation. 5. Replace zerotolerance policies and punitive discipline frameworks with relational approaches. Read the research here https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/p… Find out more about how to use restorative practices to do just that. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
May 26
What you can do when students face overwhelming problems in their lives? May 23/23
When educators discover some of the reasons behind student absenteeism, it can seem like the problems are insurmountable. One of the best things to do is recognize your own role in support student attendance since everyone at school plays a role.
3:34 Listening makes a difference and is more than “just” listening
4:43 They won’t care what you know till they know that you care
6:10. Maya Angelou – “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did bu people will never forget how you made them feel.”
7:11 story of a teacher who drew a Y to illustrate the turning point for a student
8:15 Little things can make a big difference
9:01 Story of an unknown impact on a student until years later
Find out more about how to use restorative practices listen and to do the little things for students. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
Check out our free resources at www.restorative.ca
Music by Skilsel from Pixabay
May 26
How can I keep conversations about student attendance going year round? May 18/23
Talking about student attendance requires regular reminders to staff. How about using your current memos or newsletters to make it a monthly discussion in the staffroom? In this podcast we discuss some simple attendance tips that can be part of your conversations.
2:18 Address students by name
2:33 Have a weekly attendance update for staff.
3:36 Welcome students back after absences
4:03 Set the tone of welcome in your classroom.
7:22 Set an intention to make a sunshine call to each parent in your classroom.
7:46 Find out 2 new things about each student.
9:11 Use an attitude of curiosity when teaching.
9:50 Ask good questions that don’t blame or shame.
Find out more about how to use restorative practices for attendance tips at school. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
Check out our free resources at www.restorative.ca
Music by Skilsel from Pixabay
May 26
How can I include and engage parent voice in my school? May 2/23
Parent voice needs to be included through a variety of channels that are formal and less formal.
4:00 Parents will come to meetings about topics that are important to them
5:34 Proactively design the questions for consideration.
7:57 Plan time for conversations with parents
9:06 Ask open ended questions like “What are 3 stars and a wish that you have for our school?”
Find out more about how to use restorative practices to build the questions about topics that matter for parents. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
Check out our free resources at www.restorative.ca
Music by Skilsel from Pixabay
May 26
How can schools find time for staff to even reflect on which families aren’t connected to the school? April 25/23
April 25/23
0:23 Starts with a school leader asking the question about who’s NOT connected
2:33 Involve the staff in addressing the question
4:46 Redraft staff meeting agendas to include topics like families that aren’t connected
6:30 Set up the question for the staff meeting beforehand, for example, “how might we best engage families that are not connected to our school?”
9:01 Shape the conversation by making family connections to school a priority for everyone
Find out more about how to use restorative practices when building relationships and connecting with families.
Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
Check out our free resources at www.restorative.ca
Music by Skilsel from Pixabay
There are a lot of people at school who have information about a student or family that’s not connected or engaged. It’s important to make connecting the dots of information a priority.
Apr 05
How can I use student attendance data? April 4/23
Listen now to the podcast now on Circle Forum
Conversations about student attendance issues are filled with complexity and it all starts with attendance data. How do you get attendance to be part of the discussions in schools? How does attendance impact achievement? What are the changes we can measure? Who’s the point person for attendance at school or in the school district? Sharing attendance data with school and district staff each have a role to play in student attendance. What’s been shared with the community agencies to get their participation to address the underlying causes of absenteeism?
Find out more about how to use restorative practices when looking at student attendance data. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca
Apr 05
How can I talk with parents about their child’s attendance? March 28/23
Listen now to the podcast now on Circle Forum
Talking with parents can be challenging especially when the topic is their child’s absenteeism. Don’t make attendance your first or only contacts with parents! Get to know them and ask questions that are open and curious. Restorative questions don’t judge others and lead to conversations not conclusions. It’s not always easy and we may feel judged as educators! Change your questions to build relationships rather than confront about an issue.
Questions like “What happened? What do you think? Who’s impacted by this and how? What’s the hardest thing for you in all of this? What do you think needs to happen next?”
Find out more about how to use restorative questions when talking with parents. Send me a note to stan@restorative.ca