Watertown School District Family Support Program Ends After 16,000 Family Contacts, Attendance Gains

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown School District’s family support specialist program, launched two and a half years ago to strengthen attendance and connect families with community resources, has concluded — but administrators say its impact will continue through newly reassigned staff roles.

16,000+ contacts made with families

During Item 7.3 — Family Support Specialist Update, Assistant Superintendent Derek Barrios presented a detailed overview of the program’s outcomes. The district originally hired three family support specialists through grant funding, later adding a fourth position this past school year using remaining funds.

Barrios said the specialists made more than 16,000 documented contacts with students and families during their tenure.

“I think it’s safe to say we had over 16,000 positive connections with families and students,” Barrios said.

Those contacts included:

·         Morning phone calls encouraging students to get to school

·         Thousands of text messages — often more effective than calls

·         Transportation assistance when families faced vehicle issues or weather challenges

·         Attendance letters at 5-, 10-, and 15‑day thresholds

·         Email communication

·         Home visits when parents working nontraditional hours needed help ensuring older students got to school

“Those individuals were very busy — lots of miles put on between buildings around town,” Barrios said.

Attendance improved after COVID

Barrios reported that overall district attendance remained steady, but chronic absenteeism declined by 2 to 2.5 percent over the past two years.

“We did a good job of reducing the number of students who are chronically absent throughout the school year,” he said.

Attendance remains a factor on the state’s accountability report card (SPI), which will be released this fall.

Program ends, but support continues in new roles

Although the grant-funded positions have ended, Barrios said the district has reassigned staff to continue parts of the work:

·         Kyle Green will serve as a resource coordinator at the high school, also supporting middle school families.

o    His role will function “almost like a social worker,” connecting families with Codington Connects, Human Service Agency, counseling services, and other community resources.

·         Ashley Fordham will work at the elementary level, with part of her day dedicated to attendance support.

o    While she will not provide transportation, she will continue outreach to families and monitor attendance concerns.

Barrios emphasized that while the new roles are not as intensive as the original full-time positions, the district remains committed to keeping attendance a priority.

“When kids are in school, they’re getting fed, they’re being taken care of, learning is going on, they’re with their peers,” he said. “Really still stressing the importance of school attendance.”

Barrios said he will provide a full attendance update when the state report card is released later this year.

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