Ready, Set, School is a program that was developed this school year by a team lead by Heather Hines, school counselor and ESMH Coordinator in an effort to increase attendance rates at Elm Grove Elementary. The school discovered that a large portion of the chronically absent students (50% to be exact) live in the same public housing community. In order to improve elementary aged children’s attendance school staff knew they needed to support the parents.
The following partners are involved in the program:
- Ohio County Family Resource Network’s Family Support Center provides food and parent incentives, started a “Circle of Parents” monthly support group in the Hildar Housing Area, and assist with monthly family events.
- Wheeling Housing Authority opens the recreation room in Hildar every morning for students participating. They provide a safe, positive, inclusive environment for each child to begin their day with reinforcement/sticker charts, crafting, and a breakfast snack all before they walk together to the bus stop.
- Elm Grove’s ESMH and Communities In Schools manage the program, consents, and data. They also plan and attend every monthly Family Event and supply the student incentives.
There are 21 students and families participating in the program, and 17 of them improved their attendance from last month.
