FOCUS Site Support

This part of the program provides direct assistance to ten elementary schools selected for their high rates of chronic absenteeism. Each site benefits from specialized support tailored to meet its specific needs.

Key Features

• Dedicated Teams: Each school has a team consisting of a Child Welfare and Attendance Specialist (CWAS) and a Family Partnership Facilitator from the SCUSD FACE Team. These experts meet with school leaders to set goals for attendance, belonging, and connection, ensuring every student feels supported and we have defined outcomes to strive for based on each site’s individual data.
• Regular Visits: The FOCUS teams visit schools 2-3 times a month to build relationships with students, families, and staff, ensuring they understand and address the unique needs of each community.
• Data-Informed Goals: Schools use the EveryDay Pro Attendance and Engagement Data Dashboard to track attendance and set clear, measurable goals.

How We Support Schools

• Attendance Training for Staff: Office staff learn how to manage attendance data effectively using tools like Infinite Campus.
• Extra Resources: Schools can access additional funding for clerical hours to ensure attendance is prioritized.

Parent Teacher Home Visit Program (PTHV): We have set aside funds to expand support of PTHV. This program fosters trust and engagement by encouraging home visits between teachers and families.

Family FOCUS Program

The Family FOCUS Program is a partnership between SCUSD’s Office of Student Attendance & Engagement and the Family & Community Empowerment (FACE) Office. This program is designed to bring families and schools together to build strong relationships, reduce absenteeism, and create a culture of success.

Key Features

• Monthly Parent Workshops: These free workshops provide families with tools and strategies to manage challenges like stress, anxiety, and balancing technology use at home.
• Family Activity Nights: Fun, hands-on events aligned with workshop themes that promote family bonding and reduce stress. Families enjoy free meals, childcare, and activities, ensuring everyone can participate.

How We Support Families

• Workshops That Matter: Topics include building routines, managing emotions, and navigating school resources.
• Family Engagement Nights: Examples include:
  • October: Ready, Set, Succeed! with a framing activity to set goals.
  • February: Paint & Play family art extravaganza to explore emotions.
  • May: Pokémon Fun night to celebrate family connections.

Program Greatness

Program Greatness is a unique component of FOCUS that focuses on students who need additional support. It combines whole-school engagement with targeted mentorship for students most at risk of chronic absenteeism. Through our multi-year partnership with Reach One Alliance and Kevin Bracy we have built a comprehensive curriculum that is proving its value through improved attendance rates, positive impact and ongoing demand.

Key Features

• Whole-School Events (Tier 1): Program Greatness builds a positive culture with school-wide activities designed to engage and excite students.
  • • Motivational Kickoff: Kevin Bracy’s “In It to Win It” chant rally inspires the entire school community with messages of kindness, perseverance, and showing up.
    • Rockin’ Recess and Glow Party: School-wide events like these celebrate attendance, foster joy, and involve families in meaningful ways.
• Greatness Squad: Targeted Mentorship (Tier 2): A five-week mentorship program for selected students, focusing on academic guidance, emotional support, and building resilience. Focuses on African American, Native American, and Pacific Islander boys in grades 4–6, providing support to help them overcome challenges.