Supporting Regular Attendance Through Community Outreach

At Fay Elementary, our Community School approach centers on building strong relationships with families and removing barriers that keep students from thriving. One of the most important areas we focus on is chronic absenteeism—not as a discipline issue, but as a sign that a family may need extra support, connection, or resources.

Recently, Voice of San Diego published an article highlighting the work happening at schools across our district, including the approach we use here at Fay. It provides an honest look at how home visits help schools better understand what students and families are experiencing.

Families connect with our community partners during Back-to-School Night, learning about health services and supports available at Fay Elementary.

Article: Voice of San Diego

Source: “The Anatomy of a Chronic Absenteeism Home Visit” — Voice of San Diego, March 28, 2024. Read the full article: https://voiceofsandiego.org/2024/03/28/the-progress-report-the-anatomy-of-a-chronic-absenteeism-home-visit/

Excerpt (© Voice of San Diego):

“The home visits are designed to identify barriers that keep students out of school…”

At Fay Elementary, we do more than just keep track of attendance—we dig deeper to understand why a child might be missing school. Our mission is a team effort: staff, families, and community partners all working together to support students. Sometimes the help a family needs is simple; other times, it’s more involved. But every time, it starts with reaching out with empathy and care.

As a Community School, we believe:

• When families feel seen, supported, and respected, attendance improves.

• Strong relationships lead to better outcomes for students.

• Trust is built when the school reaches out to families—not just when families come to us.

• Connecting families to resources—like health care, housing, clothing, food, or language classes—removes barriers that keep kids from coming to school every day.

Our attendance outreach team works side by side with families, so no one has to face challenges alone. Whether it’s a phone call, a meeting, or a home visit, our question is always: How can we help?

Thank you to our parents, staff, and community partners for supporting our students. Together, we create a stronger, healthier school community—one where every child feels welcome, supported, and ready to learn.