By: Stefan Sobiek, Sr. Director of Operations & Enrollment
At Impact Public Schools, we believe that every day in the classroom matters. When students attend school regularly, they build essential academic skills, develop friendships, and gain confidence. That’s why we’re taking a proactive approach to tackling attendance challenges—using smart technology, strengthening family partnerships, and fostering collaboration among school leaders. Our goal? To ensure every student attends school and has the opportunity to succeed.
Smart Strategies for Better Attendance
To start, we’re making attendance tracking more efficient by integrating automation into our daily processes. With tools like ParentSquare, Skyward, and Looker Studio, we can quickly identify students who may need extra support and send timely updates to families. This allows our school staff to spend less time on paperwork and more time on what really matters—helping students stay engaged and on track.
Keeping Families in the Loop
Families play a crucial role in student success, and we’re committed to making it easy for them to stay informed. We’ve developed clear, year-long communication templates and monthly updates to help parents understand the importance of attendance and how they can support their children. From Back-to-School Nights to parent-teacher conferences, we provide families with the tools they need to stay engaged.
Additionally, we’re training our front office and operations staff in culturally responsive communication. This ensures that every family is heard, respected, and supported in their efforts to keep their children in school.
Leaders Working Together
Attendance isn’t just a classroom issue—it’s a school-wide priority. That’s why our school leaders, including Directors of School Operations (DSOs) and principals, meet regularly to review attendance data, share insights, and develop strategies to support students who may be struggling. Through one-on-one meetings and collaborative work sessions, we’re tackling attendance challenges as a united front.
A Supportive Approach to Truancy
When students miss too much school, it’s often a sign of deeper challenges. We’re strengthening our truancy response to ensure students and families receive the right support at the right time. By refining our protocols and providing additional resources, we’re making sure no student falls through the cracks.
Celebrating Attendance Wins
Showing up every day is an achievement worth celebrating! Our schools create a positive culture around attendance with fun incentives, school-wide recognition, and simple moments of encouragement—from hallway high fives to shoutouts during assemblies. When students feel valued for their commitment to learning, they’re more likely to keep showing up.
Meet the Leader Behind the Mission
Dustin Dacuan, one of Impact’s amazing Directors of Operations, is driving much of this important work. By developing robust tracking systems, guiding our organization’s strategic approach to attendance, and leading professional development for our School Managers and DSOs, he equips our school leaders with the tools and strategies to boost attendance. His leadership is shaping our approach for the 2024-2025 school year, ensuring every school has the support it needs to help students thrive. “I believe that our school buildings are the best places for our scholars to thrive, and I’m excited to collaborate with other leaders across the network to enable access for scholars and families across the Impact community,” said Mr. Dacuan.
At Impact Public Schools, we’re not just tracking attendance—we’re building a culture where every student feels supported, every family feels empowered, and every school is working together to create brighter futures. Because when kids show up, they grow, learn, and succeed. And that’s something worth celebrating.