Partner Partner Content 120 Educators unite to strengthen student attendance across Bay and Arenac Counties

More than 120 educators, administrators, counselors, family engagement staff, and community partners gathered at Bay-Arenac ISD (BAISD) Career Center last week to strengthen regional efforts focused on improving student attendance and supporting families across local school districts. 

The regional event brought together school teams from throughout Bay and Arenac Counties to learn strategies for building effective attendance teams, strengthening family partnerships, and developing systems of support that help students consistently attend school. 

Throughout the day, participants engaged in collaborative learning opportunities focused on understanding barriers to attendance, improving communication with families, reviewing attendance data, and creating positive school cultures where students feel connected and supported. 

BAISD leaders emphasized that attendance is closely tied to student achievement, well-being, and long-term success. The gathering also highlighted the importance of approaching attendance through relationships, encouragement, and proactive support rather than punishment alone. 

“Improving attendance requires schools and communities to work together in intentional ways,” shares Jon Horton, student services coordinator with Bangor Township Schools. “When students feel connected and families feel supported, attendance improves and students are more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.” 

With support from the 35i MiFamily Engagement Centers Grant, Bay-Arenac ISD has partnered with the Region 5 MiFamily Engagement Center, local school districts, and surrounding intermediate school districts, including Clare-Gladwin RESD, Gratiot-Isabella RESD, Midland ESA, and Saginaw ISD, to launch a regional attendance marketing campaign titled Strive for Fewer Than Five. 

The campaign was created to give schools, families, and community partners a shared, positive message around attendance: helping students miss fewer than five school days whenever possible. Through consistent messaging and practical resources, Strive for Fewer Than Five supports strong daily attendance habits while helping families better understand the connection between attendance, learning, relationships, and long-term student success. 

Campaign materials include social media content, posters, flyers, family newsletter resources, print materials, and additional communication tools that can be customized by local districts. These resources are designed to help schools communicate with families in a clear, supportive, and family-friendly way throughout the school year. 

Beginning this fall, the campaign will continue to expand through the use of yard signs, billboards, and additional attendance initiatives aimed at encouraging positive attendance habits and increasing family engagement. Regional leaders emphasized that the goal is not only to incentivize attendance, but also to empower districts to better understand and respond to the unique needs of each child and family. 

Marci Biniecki, a local parent with Bangor Township Schools, shared that she has noticed a dramatic difference in the way her children’s district is emphasizing the importance of attendance. “As a parent, you always know that the more your child attends school, the better they do academically and socially,” Biniecki says. “But now, it feels like my daughter and son understand that too. They are excited about attendance goals, being recognized for showing up, and they genuinely do not want to miss school. It has created a positive mindset around being present and engaged every day.” 

The event also provided districts with opportunities to collaborate with one another, share successful practices, and continue building regional attendance systems designed to meet the unique needs of students and families. 

Regional attendance initiatives supported by BAISD include: 

● Attendance awareness campaigns 

● Family engagement resources 

● District attendance team development 

● Professional learning opportunities 

● Data review and intervention planning 

● Collaborative regional partnerships focused on student success 

As districts continue addressing attendance challenges across the region, BAISD remains committed to supporting local schools in creating welcoming environments where every student feels valued, connected, and motivated to attend each day.