Talk Tuesdays - Student Attendance and Engagement
Overview
Join colleagues from across Connecticut every other Tuesday (10:00–11:00 a.m.) for dynamic conversations on improving student attendance and engagement. Each session features timely topics, expert insights, and practical strategies to help you strengthen attendance teams, support student well-being, and engage families.
👉 Register now to be part of Connecticut’s statewide conversation on attendance and engagement! Learn more in the Talk Tuesday flyer!
What is Talk Tuesday?
Talk Tuesdays are biweekly virtual gatherings (10:00–11:00 a.m.) that bring together educators, school staff, community partners, and leaders from across the state to explore practical, research-based strategies for improving student attendance and engagement. Each session includes interactive discussion, insights from experts, and peer-to-peer learning. No matter your role or experience, Talk Tuesdays offer a welcoming and supportive professional learning community committed to helping every student attend, engage, and thrive.
2025-26 Sessions
- Multi-Tier Systems of Support Recording: Kimberly Traverso, Ph.D., Education Consultant, CSDE Office of Student Supports; Brandi Simonsen, Ph.D., Professor of Special Education, Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut; and Wendy Johns, Director of Pupil Services, Waterbury Public Schools
- Supporting Student with Disabilities Recording: Jay Brown, Education Consultant, CSDE Bureau of Special Education; and Carli Rocha-Reaes, Director of School Counseling & Partnerships, Bridgeport Public Schools
- Finishing the School Year Strong Recording, New Haven Public Schools: Dr. Gemma Joseph-Lumpkin, Chief of Youth, Family, and Community Engagement
- Attendance and Belonging Recording, Norwalk Public Schools: Sandra Faioes, Carol Wiltshire-Toth, Jean Starkman, & Dr. Kimberly Erickson
- Connecticut Bright Spots with Attendance Works II Recording: Emma Herdean, Ed.D., Senior Fellow, Attendance Works; and Edward Singleton, Principal, Roton Middle School, Norwalk Public Schools
- Connecticut Bright Spots with Attendance Works Recording, Susan Lieberman, Senior Fellow, and Emma Herdean, Senior Fellow, Attendance Works, with Hannah Sam, Principal, F.J. Kingsbury School, Waterbury Public Schools
- Learning that Feels Good: Personal Interest Projects Powered by Artificial Intelligence Recording, Elizabeth A. Radday, Ed.D., Director of Research & Innovation, EdAdvance, and Maria Frederick, Library Media Specialist, John Read Middle School, Redding School District
- Integration of the SEI Habits in an MTSS Framework Recording, Dr. Christine S. Peck, Psy.D, BCBA-D, Program Administrator, Cooperative Education Services (CES) and Jaime O’Karma, M.Ed., BCBA, SEL Learning Dean, East Ridge Middle School, Ridgefield Public Schools
- Interventions to Improve Attendance: A focus on the behavioral principles in Tier II/III initiatives Recording - Ravit Stein, PhD, BCBA-D, Director of Consultation & Professional Learning, EASTCONN Regional Education Service Center; Sarah Mallory, Principal, ACT Magnet High School; and Kelli Carchidi, Family & Community Liaison, ACT Magnet High School
- School Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Crisis Response and Social Work Recording, Kate Bohannan, Associate Education Consultant, CSDE; and Youth MCIS Addressing School Refusal, Melissa Brown, LCSW, Clinical Program Director, Community Health Resources
- Special Guests with Our Partners at the Department of Children and Families Recording - Careline, 2024 data, mandated reporter laws, preliminary inquiry, Youth Service Bureaus and JRBs, Fatherhood Engagement, and a discussion on educational neglect, Lisa Daymonde, Careline Director, and Vanessa Hudson, Program Supervisor, Careline, Department of Children and Families.
- Health & Attendance: Prevention and Intervention Strategies Recording, Kristen Soto, Respiratory Viral Disease Surveillance Coordinator, Connecticut Department of Public Health; Chlo-Anne Bobrowski, Education Manager, School Nursing and Family Support Services, Connecticut State Department of Education.
September 23, 2025, slide deck
- Smarter Meetings, Stronger Schools: From Agenda to Action for Student Success Recording, Erin K. Dunn, PhD, Senior Educational and Behavioral Consultant, EASTCONN, and Jacqueline Love, Assistant Principal, Griswold Elementary School.
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Understanding and Interpreting Attendance Data for 2025-26 Recording - Dr. Briana Hennessey, Associate Education Consultant, CSDE.
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Ways New Haven Public Schools Use EdSight Dashboards Recording - John Nguyen, Supervisor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation.
August 19 and 26, 2025, slide deck
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Key Concepts of Attendance and Chronic Absence - Dr. Emma Herdean, Senior Fellow, Attendance Works
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Part I Recording: Positive Conditions for Learning; Effective Attendance Teams; Data-drive Approach; and Strategies and Tools to Communication about Attendance
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Part II Recording: Definitions and Importance, Framework of Multi-tiered Attendance Strategies; Effective Strategies to Support Increased Attendance and Engagement
Objectives of Talk Tuesdays
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Strengthen district and school attendance practices by sharing proven strategies for building effective attendance teams.
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Support student well-being through topics that connect health, wellness, and attendance.
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Advance equity and access by highlighting MTSS supports, interventions, and resources that meet diverse student needs.
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Enhance family and community partnerships to improve engagement and reduce barriers to attendance.
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Promote evidence-based practices such as home visiting and data-informed decision making.