Dear Students, Employees & Families:
Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) invites you to attend a virtual community information session this Wednesday evening focused on chronic absenteeism:
Chronic Absenteeism Community Information Session:
“Every Day Matters, Every Moment Counts in ACPS”
When:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Zoom Link:
https://k12albemarle.zoom.us/j/85452828037?pwd=0etRL0Z939Ed6wvO7smlghM7gQqvMr.1
According to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE):
- Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions; and
- Truancy is the act of accruing one or more unexcused absences, where the parent is unaware of or does not support the student’s absence, or where the parent’s provided reason for the absence is not acceptable to the school administration.
Regardless of the reason, missing instruction is linked to a variety of negative outcomes, such as increased risk of failure and dropout, falling behind in critical reading and math skills, lost opportunities for social development, higher rates of stress and anxiety, increased likelihood of substance use, and more. Research also shows that chronic absenteeism and truancy do not affect all students equally. Students of color, students with disabilities, English Learners, and students from economically disadvantaged households have disproportionately high rates of chronic absenteeism. And, truancy rates are highest among high school students.
Our session on September 27 will feature a panel of experts who will discuss successful strategies for reducing and preventing chronic absenteeism, current research, how to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism, approaches to boosting student attendance, and the importance of cross-agency data sharing and collaboration. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to ask questions through Zoom’s Q&A feature.
Panelists will include:
- Dr. Arya Ansari, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science, College of Education and Human Ecology, and Faculty Associate, Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, The Ohio State University
- Dr. Alexandra Javna, Student Services Specialist, Virginia Department of Education
- Ms. Eileen Gomez, Coordinator of Nursing and Health Services, ACPS
- Ms. Kimberly Rambow, LCSW, School Social Worker/Mental Health Professional, Agnor-Hurt Elementary School, ACPS
- Mr. Joe Weaver, Home, Community and School Intervention Coordinator, Monticello High School, ACPS
- Ms. Ashley Key, Mental Health Coordinator, Journey Middle School, ACPS
Our superintendent, Dr. Matthew Haas, will open the session, and Dr. Daphne Keiser, Assistant Superintendent for School Community Engagement, will moderate the discussion.
Click here to join the session
We hope you can join us on Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:30. We will record and post the session on the division’s YouTube Channel for anyone who is interested but cannot attend.