When small acts make a big difference

Abigail, a kindergartner at Cane Creek Elementary, is full of creativity and joy. She loves to draw and play dress-up, and she’s just beginning her first year at the school. But like many young students adjusting to big changes at home, Abigail’s school attendance became a challenge.

Earlier this year, Abigail moved in with her father and stopped seeing her mother altogether. Her father, who had never had sole responsibility for her, admitted he often felt at a loss with the new routines. By the time Communities In Schools of Tennessee (CISTN) was asked to step in, Abigail’s attendance rate had dropped to 81%.

That’s where Program Manager Ms. Debbie came in. Working with the school staff and Abigail’s father, she arranged for Abigail to begin riding the school bus. But when Abigail missed the bus on the very first day, it became clear that mornings were still tough. Her father shared that he struggled to wake up, even with multiple alarm clocks.

Together, they came up with a simple but effective plan: Ms. Debbie would call each morning at 6:15 a.m. for a wake-up check-in. For a week, she followed through with that call until Abigail’s dad was able to consistently do it on his own. 

The impact was immediate. In just four weeks, Abigail’s attendance improved from 81% to 91%. With a stronger routine in place and a support system behind her, she’s more present in the classroom, more engaged in learning, and beginning to thrive in her new environment.