In this episode of Connecting Communities, host Leah Verier-Dunn is joined by Donna Puhalovich from the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) and Susan Flores, Coordinator of Social Work and Mental Health Services with Charlotte County Public Schools, to talk about one of SCGLR’s core pillars, attendance!

Together, they discuss two different initiatives: the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest and Motivating Improved Attendance. Each guest shares their insight on the impact of these initiatives and how both have strengthened efforts to improve attendance across the Suncoast region. 

Timestamps

• 00:47 - Introduction to Donna Puhalovich
• 01:07 - What is the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest?
• 02:05 - Why attendance is a big deal
• 07:27 - What students do after receiving a poster template
• 15:06 - How schools can participate in the Attendance Awareness Poster Contest
• 15:58 - Donna’s final thoughts: Consistent attendance creates a strong student.
• 19:19 - Introduction to Susan Flores - How social work relates to attendance
• 20:26 - How the pandemic shifted concerns about attendance and in-person learning
• 21:09 - Chronic absenteeism. What is it and why is it a big deal?
• 28:43 - Criteria and purpose of Motivating Improved Attendance (MIA) Program
• 33:00 - Successful community messaging: the March Madness competition of attendance
• 40:20 - Susan’s final thoughts: Attendance is primary and foundational

Links to Learn More 

• Donna Puhalovich
• Susan Flores
• Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading | Attendance 
• Attendance Awareness Poster Contest
• Motivating Improved Attendance

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Donna Puhalovich

Susan Flores

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