Reach Out Before They Check Out

TL;DR

November family engagement prevents holiday attendance drops. Nearly half of families improve attendance after one meaningful school contact. Use this month to build connections before the busy season begins—proactive outreach in November sets students up for success through winter break and beyond.

The holidays are coming, and you know what that means: those familiar dips in attendance that happen every November and December. The data tells us what you probably already know from experience: this seasonal pattern is both predictable and preventable.

Nearly half of families improve attendance after just one meaningful contact from school. That single statistic should change how we think about November. This month offers us a golden window to strengthen those crucial school-home connections before families start mentally checking out for winter break.

Why November Matters More Than You Think

Research shows that schools with strong family engagement had chronic absenteeism rates 6 percentage points lower than those with weaker engagement. That’s the equivalent of preventing over 800 absences in a typical school, which translates to more than $45,000 in funding preservation. 

November’s Family Engagement Month offers us a strategic opportunity to strengthen those crucial school-home connections before the busy holiday season begins.

Family engagement is the key. When schools build strong partnerships with families before challenges arise, students maintain better attendance patterns throughout the year.

The Power of Proactive Connection

Our analysis of 1.3 million students in SchoolStatus districts reveals that family communication produces consistent attendance improvement patterns across all demographic groups:

• Asian families: 50.1% of chronically absent students return to school after one communication
• White families: 49.7% of chronically absent students return to school after one communication
• Hispanic/Latino families: 45.8% of chronically absent students return to school after one communication
• Black families: 40.5% of chronically absent students return to school after one communication
• American Indian families: 37.7% of chronically absent students return to school after one communication

These numbers tell a powerful story: families want to be partners in their children’s education. They respond when schools reach out with authentic care and clear information. The variations in response rates suggest that tailored approaches for different communities could unlock even greater potential for family engagement.

Making Every Contact Count

What does effective November outreach look like? It extends beyond attendance reminders. Families need to feel connected to their child’s daily experience at school. They want to know how their student is doing academically, socially, and emotionally.

Start with celebration. Share specific wins, growth moments, and positive observations about their child. When families feel proud of their student’s progress, they’re more invested in maintaining that momentum.

Be transparent about attendance data. Families appreciate knowing where their child stands with supportive guidance. Frame the conversation around supporting success while addressing challenges together.

Ask about barriers. November brings its own challenges—family obligations, seasonal depression, and transportation issues during weather changes. Understanding what families are navigating helps schools provide meaningful support.

Plan together for the holiday season. Acknowledge that holidays affect everyone. Create realistic plans that honor family priorities while maintaining connection to school.

Building Systems That Last

The districts achieving breakthrough attendance results share common approaches. They use data to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism early. They communicate regularly with families throughout the year, building relationships before problems emerge. They make family engagement a priority at every grade level.

These systematic approaches work. SchoolStatus districts implementing data-driven intervention strategies reduced chronic absenteeism from 21.90% in 2023-24 to 20.92% in 2024-25, moving approximately 15,000 students out of chronic absence status. Meanwhile, national chronic absenteeism remains elevated at 23.5%.

The difference? Consistent, caring outreach that treats families as partners in supporting student success.

Your November Action Plan

Week 1: Review attendance data to identify students showing early warning signs. Look for patterns of Monday absences, clusters of missed days, or gradual increases in absences since September.

Week 2: Reach out to families with authentic, positive contacts. Share what their child is doing well in school. Ask about their experience so far this year. Listen for underlying concerns or barriers.

Week 3: Create individualized support plans with families who need extra assistance. These might include transportation solutions, homework support, or connections to community resources.

Week 4: Send every family a message of gratitude and encouragement heading into the holiday season. Acknowledge their partnership and remind them how much their child’s presence matters to the school community.

The Ripple Effect of Connection

When we reach out before families check out, we create ripple effects that extend far beyond November attendance numbers. We build trust that lasts through the holiday season and into the new year. We demonstrate that every student matters to the school community. We show families that their partnership is valued and essential.

Strong school-home connections improve attendance and create the foundation for academic success, social-emotional growth, and lifelong learning habits. November gives us the perfect opportunity to strengthen these bonds before the busyness of the season takes over.

The data is clear: family engagement works, and timing matters. This November, choose to reach out before they check out. Your students, families, and school community will feel the difference all year long.

Ready to strengthen your school-home
connections this November?

Visit https://www.schoolstatus.com/mission-attendance for tools, templates, and resources designed to help you reach every family with authentic care and clear communication.