School District Launches Innovative Attendance and Mental Health Initiative

In a recent government meeting, officials praised Jessica Dubois for her leadership in a positive attendance campaign, highlighting collaboration with various stakeholders, including administrative staff, social workers, and community partners. The committee anticipates final attendance numbers will be available shortly after the school year ends, with a comprehensive report expected in August.

Discussion also focused on setting attendance goals for the upcoming year, with a target around 75%. Committee members expressed concerns about chronic absenteeism, particularly among high school students, and emphasized the need for targeted strategies to engage these students. The importance of collaboration between district administration and high schools was noted as essential for addressing this issue.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update on a behavioral health intervention module developed in partnership with Aspen. Stacey Champy, the MTSSB director, outlined the module's purpose: to streamline mental health referrals and improve data collection regarding student support. The initiative aims to enhance the coordination of interventions among school staff and community partners, ensuring that students receive timely and appropriate support.

Champy emphasized the importance of training for teachers to effectively utilize the new system, which is designed to track student referrals and outcomes. Committee members expressed their support for the initiative while also raising concerns about its complexity and the need for ongoing feedback from educators to improve user experience.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving student attendance and mental health support, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and collaboration among various stakeholders.