Vickery Mill School Governance Council Launches Program to Boost Attendance 

Research shows that regular school attendance benefits students by improving academic achievement, fostering social skills, building strong study habits, increasing graduation rates, and contributing to a positive school culture. However, understanding the reasons behind absenteeism requires deeper investigation.

The School Governance Council (SGC) at Vickery Mill Elementary School (VMES) aimed to uncover the root causes of absenteeism. Partnering with the community and local faith-based organizations, they adopted a human-centered approach to find solutions. Collaborating with SGC member Stacy Perlman, they used Design Thinking to address attendance and school bus safety issues, focusing on the needs of the community.

At Hootie’s Holiday Feast, an annual event sponsored by Home Church Roswell, the SGC engaged families to understand student absences. They surveyed attendees, offering gift bags as incentives. Surveys were available in English and Spanish, and around 50 families participated.

The survey revealed that 70% of parents cited student illness as the top reason for absences, followed by doctor appointments (24%). Other reasons included parental illness, lack of transportation, or simply wanting to stay home. For tardiness, 54% of parents blamed doctor appointments, 23% mentioned oversleeping, 15% cited missing the bus, and 8% had other reasons.

Most parents felt comfortable reaching out to the school or social worker for support (91% English survey, 81% Spanish survey).

Fulton County Schools (FCS) Director of Attendance Improvement, Charity Trowbridge, noted that changes in family dynamics post-COVID have impacted attendance. With more parents working from home, children are more likely to stay home for minor illnesses or travel during school days.

Economic challenges also play a role. Job loss, reduced income, and lack of transportation can lead to increased absenteeism. These factors contribute to a loss of in-school learning and important social interactions.

Principal Karin Alhadeff praised the SGC's efforts: “Our Vickery Mill SGC has worked hard to listen to our community and provide needed support. The survey led to 5th-grade student patrols in the hallway and on the bus, reducing discipline issues and making students feel heard and seen. It’s been wonderful to see the positive impact on our community.”

Click here to view the SGC Attendance Survey Presentation in PDF Format