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Complete your Padlet assignment by clicking here (opens in a new window). SHIELD will post your response to Padlet.

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Directions

1. Scroll to the next section to complete any activities due.

2. SHIELD will submit your responses and/or questions in batches on Wednesday and Fridays

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West (Berkshire, Franklin)

West (Hampden, Hampshire)

Northeast

Metrowest

Boston

Central

Southeast

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Looking for ideas or have any CQI questions for other school nurse leaders?  Please share them here and SHIELD will post them to Padlet.

Do you have experience with a posted question? Please email your colleague in the corresponding post.

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From: Deborah Tanzer  --  District/School: Lynn

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From: Deborah Tanzer  --  District/School: Lynn

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Nurses are part of the School Wellness Committee.

Nurses do follow up on students with consecutive or chronic absences.

District has instituted ParentSquare to increase communication and outreach in a user-friendly manner.

District has updated the Attendance Policy.

District utilizes Open Architect to track absences.

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CSHS Demographic Monitoring Form-Chronic Absences SY25_DT

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From: Leanne Dennison  --  District/School: Melrose

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From: Leanne Dennison  --  District/School: Melrose

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all students

Monthly Healthy Habits Club

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CSHS - Demographic Monitoring Fillable Form MHS_LD

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From: Nancy Thompson  --  District/School: Haverhill Public Schools

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From: Nancy Thompson  --  District/School: Haverhill Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Comprehensive Health Services Resource and Training Manual

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From: Katie Lapery  --  District/School: Stoneham Public

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From: Katie Lapery  --  District/School: Stoneham Public

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Collaborating with administration and administrative assistants to use common terms so that running reports is more straight forward.

Communication with staff and families regarding calling in absences and documenting reasons and working with parents/guardians on getting students to school.

Encouraging school attendance with parents/guardians and sending letters home from administration quarterly for 5 or more unexcused absences.

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From: Brenda Wolff  --  District/School: Peabody

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From: Brenda Wolff  --  District/School: Peabody

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Nurses will follow up on students with consecutive or chronic absences.

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2024 Demographic Monitoring Fillable Form_BW

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From: Krista Shell  --  District/School: Billerica Public Schools

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From: Krista Shell  --  District/School: Billerica Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Continuing with CQI to address life-threatening food allergies. I was just awarded a grant to work on this.

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

We currently receive a list in the morning of absences and we coordinate with our outreach social worker or SEL team members when we note concerning amounts of absences or dismissals.

We already call home if we don't hear from a parent and a student is absent, and we also follow up if a student has been out for 3 days.

We coordinate with teachers and admin to monitor the students we identify at risk for chronic absenteeism.

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CSHS - Demographic Monitoring Fillable Form_KS

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From: Rita Casper  --  District/School: Andover Public Schools

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From: Rita Casper  --  District/School: Andover Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Health needs for English Language Learner (ELL) students

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Nurses are monitoring absence in their buildings, identifying students with greater than 10% to date and working with Principals, social workers and parents to improve attendance

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CSHS - Demographic Monitoring Fillable Form APS_RC

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From: Emily Osborn Cilley  --  District/School: Swampscott

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From: Emily Osborn Cilley  --  District/School: Swampscott

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CQI Project Topic: Mental health referrals

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

In my district, we have created the SWIFT program, which offers students who have missed any extended amount of school additional support. This allows them to get caught up and hopefully alleviates the stress of feeling behind, which may, in turn, cause additional avoidance issues.

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CSHS - Demographic Monitoring Swampscott_EOC

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From: Erin Barton  --  District/School: Triton Regional School District

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From: Erin Barton  --  District/School: Triton Regional School District

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Currently we are keeping track of the students and the reason why they are absent on a daily basis, if no call from parents, we call and go over any questions/concerns the parents/guardians have. Also, have started to look at who has been absent 0-4% Green, 4-9.9% Yellow and >10% Red. Those students in red are getting letters sent home and in a few months if no improvement the team will discuss planning a meeting with parent/guardians.

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Complete your Padlet assignment by clicking here (opens in a new window). SHIELD will post your response to Padlet.

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From: Brenda Wolff  --  District/School: Peabody

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From: Brenda Wolff  --  District/School: Peabody

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Tracking daily absences, reasons for absence

Tier 2 Strategies:

Communication with parents/guardians regarding the importance of notifying the school when their child/children are absent, along with the reason for the absence.

Educate the parent/guardians about return to school policies.

Educate staff about chronic health conditions.

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2025 February Chronic Absenteeism - Challenge Model_BW

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From: Toni Rebelo  --  District/School: Lynnfield Public Schools

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From: Toni Rebelo  --  District/School: Lynnfield Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Screening referrals

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

This year we are continuing to address the topic of vision referral follow-up and close out rates. Last year we were able to compose a formal procedure to address this topic and this year we are implementing the plan.

Created a formal spreadsheet with required follow-up dates to assist nurses with tracking.

Provide teachers with resources to better understand the connection between vision and learning, so that they recognize why screening early in the school year is important.

Engage families so they understand the importance of completing referrals.

Address any socioeconomic barriers that might prevent families from getting outside of school follow-up and/or attainment of glasses.

Have per-diem nurses help complete referrals and follow-ups.

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CSHS - Demographic Monitoring Fillable Form- Session 1_TR

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From: Mary Giuliana  --  District/School: Reading: Reading Memorial High

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From: Mary Giuliana  --  District/School: Reading: Reading Memorial High

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Participation in building and district attendance teams to review data and establish protocols for responding to attendance concerns.

Improve communication to all families about the importance of attendance.

Improve communication to all families about illness guidelines.

Tier 2 Strategies:

Work with Family Engagement Liaison to identify barriers such as lack of transportation, lack of access to health care, school avoidance.

Provide health guidance and resources (such as thermometers) to MLL families at the ELPAC meetings.

Provide access to resources such as Reading Food Pantry, bus transportation, extended day options, in school counseling.

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From: Toni Rebelo  --  District/School: Lynnfield Public Schools

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From: Toni Rebelo  --  District/School: Lynnfield Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Screening referrals

Tier 2 Strategies:

Collaborate on 504 plans that will either need to be established or added as a result of our screening findings

Develope IHP's to address newly identified student needs

Link students and their families with any needed community resources

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From: Jane Morrissey  --  District/School: Salem Public Schools

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From: Jane Morrissey  --  District/School: Salem Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Screening referrals

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Nurses attend regular Wellness Team/Student Support Teams in their buildings to share data with support colleagues.

Tier 2 Strategies:

Nurses attend monthly attendance team meetings to share information and learn about students who are on list of chronically absent students.

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From: Deborah Tanzer  --  District/School: Lynn

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From: Deborah Tanzer  --  District/School: Lynn

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Educating school nurses on MTSS and Tier 1 strategies which include school nurses in the district:

utilizing ParentSquare to communicate with families on attendance and other health issues in multiple languages

educating staff on appropriate use of nurse office during school staff meetings

participating in student and wellness meetings on attendance

reviewing emergency forms to identify students with complex medical needs and developing health plans for school

monitoring attendance and those with chronic absenteeism

collaborating with school staff and clinicians to support students

building relationships with students and families

working with community agencies to assist families

putting systems in place and practicing emergency response drills

providing health education to students

training staff in emergency preparedness

Tier 2 Strategies:

School nurses are:

developing emergency action plans and individualized health care plans for students with known medical conditions

reviewing health plan, adjusting if needed, and tracking outcomes

collaborating with school staff and parents on 504 and IEP plans

educating staff on student emergency action plans and individualized health plans

completing mandated screenings and referring as needed

following up with school staff and parents on students with chronic absenteeism

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From: Kathleen Lapery  --  District/School: Stoneham

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From: Kathleen Lapery  --  District/School: Stoneham

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Communication practices with parents and guardians of students with a high rate of absences

Demographics and chronic health conditions contributing to a high number of absences

The perceived importance of school attendance by students and parents/guardians

School Attendance Perceptions and Incentives

Tier 2 Strategies:

Assure all schools across the district are performing the same interventions for tracking absences and improving absence rate

Communicate with parents/guardians and students the importance of school attendance and the policies of reporting absences

Monitoring the input of data into the shared system so that the data is accurate across the district

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From: Emily Cilley  --  District/School: Swampscott

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From: Emily Cilley  --  District/School: Swampscott

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

The Swampscott Public Schools has committed to the following as Tier 1 supports to encourage attendance for all students:

Nurses help to support these daily

-Messaging from district and building leaders around the importance of attendance and the benefits of consistent school attendance

-Creating a positive school climate, including a focus on building a sense of belonging for all students

-Commitment to building relationships with all students with at least one trusted ‘anchor adult’ through activities like Morning Meeting at the elementary level, Advisory at SMS, and Learning Community at SHS - Our nurses become this person for many students.

-Partnership with families including consistent messaging, engagement, and two-way communication - Nurses follow up on multi-day absences to provide support and guidance.

-Maintaining a welcoming and inclusive physical environment including signage highlighting students from all backgrounds. Nursing offices are full of learning materials and information that is inclusive to all.

-Engage in the continuous improvement process of curriculum to ensure that it is culturally responsive and relevant to students’ interests and long-term goals

Tier 2 Strategies:

Send a personalized Parent Square message or write a postcard with social norms information

Increased adult attention with classroom teacher/advisory teacher/Learning Community teacher (build sense of belonging, give trusted adult, 3 x10 protocol)

Short-term counseling support (follow problem solving process, gather more info and gain rapport; Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy)

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From: Jennifer Silva  --  District/School: Medford Public Schools

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From: Jennifer Silva  --  District/School: Medford Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Screening referrals

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Universal screening requirements

Screenings completed by trained school nurses

Tier 2 Strategies:

Follow-up with families via Talking points/telephone calls/emails

Vision Resource Committee

Vision Resource Book

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Medford - Challenge Model Mandated Screenings_JS

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From: Jeffrey Parco  --  District/School: Gloucester

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From: Jeffrey Parco  --  District/School: Gloucester

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Reviewing attendance reports daily to identify the cause of the absence.

Purchased signage to positively promote on-time arrival with catchy phrases such as, "Every minute matters".

Tier 2 Strategies:

Nurses- Contact the parent/guardian of every student with 3 or more consecutive absences. Provide education to encourage the student's earliest safe return. Identify any medical needs and provide resources to families.

Attendance Supervisor- Contact the parent/guardian of every student with 3 or more consecutive absences with no identified cause such as medical or avoidance behavior.

School Adjustment Counselor- Contact the parent/guardian of every student with 3 or more consecutive absences that have GAD, avoidance behavior or other identified issues that the counselor can help the student overcome.

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From: Nancy Thompson  --  District/School: Haverhill Public Schools

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From: Nancy Thompson  --  District/School: Haverhill Public Schools

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CQI Project Topic: Development of Comprehensive Resource and Training Manual for School Nurses

Tier 3 Strategies:

The HPS School Nurse training and resource manual has and will continue to efficiently and adequately train district school nurses which will allow them time to focus on working on issues such as chronic absenteeism. This includes participating in school committees to address chronic absenteeism. The resource document (still a work in progress) has been uploaded under other documents. There are internal hyperlinks to all of the additional necessary resources but this one document allows for easy access.

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CSHS CQI Docs and HPS SN Resource Doc_NT

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From: Deb Tanzer  --  District/School: Lynn

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From: Deb Tanzer  --  District/School: Lynn

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CQI Project Topic: Chronic absenteeism

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Student and family engagement

Tracking attendance of students with medical conditions and provide support

Assessing risks

General emergency preparedness and staff training

General health education for school community

Tier 2 Strategies:

Develop health plans for students with medical conditions

Train staff in emergency action plans

Increase returned referrals for vision and other health screening referrals

Tier 3 Strategies:

Develop individual, unique plans for students with challenging behaviors/conditions

Review and update plans as needed

Ensure accommodations are in place

Participate in student meetings.

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Lynn Challenge Model and Demographic Monitoring Form_DT

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From: Jennifer Silva  --  District/School: Medford

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From: Jennifer Silva  --  District/School: Medford

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CQI Project Topic: Screening referrals

Universal & Tier 1 Strategies:

Universal vision screening

Vision Committee

Tier 2 Strategies:

Vision Providers Resouce List

Reaching out to families via call, text, email, letter

Providing individual student support

Tier 3 Strategies:

Pilot program - Small Steps to Eye Care: A Conversation Guide

Transportation (gift cards for UBER, MBTA cards)

Setting up appointments for students

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Medford - Demographic Monitoring Form and Challenge Model_JS