HERE! for Their Future

Information for WDMCS Families

An Outreach Campaign to Combat Chronic Absenteeism in WDMCS

February 8, 2023

West Des Moines Community Schools’ (WDMCS) role in preparing our students for postsecondary learning, careers, and life is best fulfilled when we are all HERE. Together, we play an important role in supporting student success. That's why we are launching a fun, new initiative to educate families on the topic of chronic absenteeism.

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WHAT IS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM?

A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10 percent of school. This equates to 18 or more days in a year, or only two days a month.

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WHY DO WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT?

Research shows consistent attendance:

helps children reach early academic and developmental milestones;
helps students develop positive relationships with peers and staff;
prevents students from falling behind academically;
connects families to additional community resources; and
increases graduation rates.

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WHAT ARE WDMCS NUMBERS?

The following numbers are students who are considered chronically absent as of February 2023.

Grades PK-6: 962 (20.34%)
Grades 7-8: 279 (20.26%)
Grades 9-12: 847 (28.35%)

To read more subgroup data, please visit our website.

What is WDMCS Doing to Address Chronic Absenteeism?

Building Awareness

The purpose of our HERE! campaign is to:

educate families and students on the topic of chronic absenteeism and its impact on student success.
engage students, staff, and families by connecting everyone to their "why" for choosing WDMCS and coming to school each day.
connect to the broader community to develop resources and break down barriers that may prevent some students from making it to school each day.

Data Collection/Analysis

Student absenteeism by school and grade;
Other demographics that may stand out (example: open-enrolled students, English learner families, etc.);
Reasons marked for a student's absences: Excused? Unexcused? Illness? Travel? Transportation issues? Other reasons?

Enhancing Ways to Reach Families

Adjusting automated messages to families.
Providing ways for teachers to reach out directly to families to learn more about why a student is absent.
Determining resources families may need to help them with their students' attendance.
Adding TalkingPoints, a two-way texting tool to break down barriers in reaching families quickly regarding a student's absence. This tool also translates messages from other languages.

Providing Practical Resources and Tools for Families

Meet our HERE! Ambassadors

We want to engage students, staff, and families by connecting everyone to their "why" for choosing WDMCS and coming to school each day. That's what our "HERE!" campaign is all about.

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STUDENT AMBASSADORS

We asked students why they choose to show up to school each day. When we listened, we learned that what connects students to school is as varied as who walks through the school doors each day.

View the current HERE! video playlist on YouTube >

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STAFF AMBASSADORS

We reached out to administrators, teachers, and support staff and asked them why they choose to show up to work each day.

Meet Courtney Ihnen >

You'll also see posters of WDMCS bus driver Melody Salazar and Superintendent Adams throughout the district.

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COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS

We understand our broader community plays an essential role in supporting student success.

Future ambassador profiles include West Des Moines Chamber CEO Katherine Harrington, West Des Moines and Clive City mayors, city managers, and more! Watch for new faces in the coming months.

RAYGUN T-Shirts

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I'M HERE to Shout HERE!

Thanks to a partnership with RAYGUN, student ambassadors across the district are wearing "I'M HERE TO SHOUT HERE!" shirts.

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HERE! for Their Future

Thanks to a partnership with RAYGUN, staff ambassadors across the district are wearing "HERE FOR THEIR FUTURE" shirts.

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RAYGUN Pop-Up Store

Watch for more information soon regarding a pop-up store for families who wish to purchase a shirt for their children or for themselves.

Learn about how WDMCS is making sure every student has a reason to be HERE.

HERE! for Their Future