Attendance Return Kit
The message bank, the return-week planner, the staff course for everyone at one school and the family course to share, for a school year.
Caveat Classroom · For schools · Kindergarten to grade 12
Bring them back
with a plan.
Warm, specific messages to families for every situation, a plan for a student's first week back, a staff course on re-engagement and a short course for families. One school, one price.
12situations, text and letter
5days in the return plan
2courses: staff and family
1price per school
Messages a family will answer
Each situation has a short text and a longer letter. Fill in the student, the family and your own details once, and the kit writes them in. Three of the 12 are here as samples, with made-up names.
Built on what works in family outreach
Studies of attendance messages, including work on text messages to parents reviewed by the Institute of Education Sciences, point to the same few features. Every message in the kit has them, and the kit shows the checklist beside each one.
- PersonalFrom someone the family knows, naming the student and the sender, not "Dear Parent or Guardian".
- SpecificThe student's own number of days or dates, not "excessive absences".
- PositiveSays the student is missed and help is available; no threats or blame.
- Two-wayGives a real way to reply and asks a question.
- In the family's languageSent in the language the family uses, checked by a qualified interpreter or translator where your school has one.
What is in the kit
For every staff member at one school for a school year.
The message bank
12 situations, from the first absence to noticing improvement
A first check-in, welcome back after illness, a pattern in the days missed, approaching chronic absence, a long absence, barriers, the early grades, a student who seems worried, no reply after two tries, a housing change, returning after a suspension and more. Each with a text, a letter and a note for the sender. Copy, then send from your school's own system.
The return-week planner
Five days, filled in for one student
Who meets the student and where, check-ins, the catch-up lessons, a call home and the Friday review. Saved by student code, printable for the team.
Two courses
Bringing Students Back, and Back on Track
A four-module course for staff on chronic absence, family messages, the first week back and referrals, with a certificate; and a three-module course schools share with families.
Free with a Classroom license
Schools with a Caveat license that includes Caveat Classroom already have the kit: the button opens it for staff.
For a district
Several schools, or a central attendance team: request a quote.
Catch-up lessons for the return week come from The Week You Missed.
What the kit does not do. Some absences need more than a welcome and a plan. If a student's absences involve anxiety or school refusal, a health condition, bullying, a safety concern, a housing change, or a possible sign of abuse or neglect, bring in your school's own trained staff: the counselor, nurse, social worker, school psychologist or homeless liaison, and follow your school's procedures. Staff who are mandated reporters report suspected abuse or neglect as their school and state require. This kit supports that work; it does not replace it, and it does not promise any attendance result.
The other branches
One brand. Seven branches. Every grade, every next step.
For studentsCaveat AcademySelf-paced courses for grades 6 to 12, from full-year classes to AP and SAT prep.
For parentsCaveat Co-OpHomeschool from kindergarten to grade 12, courses for parents, and tools for IEPs and 504 plans.
For college-bound students and familiesCaveat CollegeCollege credit in high school, the college list, applications, paying for college and the move to college.
For families with questions about learningCaveat LensScreeners for grades 1 to 8 that help you decide whether to ask for a full evaluation.
For social-emotional learningCaveat CaresFeelings, friendships and self-regulation, for students, families and teachers.
For career exploration and readinessCaveat CareersA free Career Explorer, career pathways and electives, and getting ready for a first job.