ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM
To: School Principals and School Administrative Teams
From: Dr. Bri Conley, Director of Educational Equity & Access
Date: August 11, 2026
Subject: Edia Implementation and Attendance Communication
As part of our district's commitment to improving student outcomes, attendance remains a Board priority. Currently, approximately 25% of our students are chronically absent, meaning they have missed 10% or more of the school year. Our goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism to 20% this school year and ultimately to 10% by 2029. Because unexcused absences contribute to chronic absenteeism, reducing truancy is also an important part of this work.
To support the efforts of improving attendance and strengthening family partnerships, we are implementing Edia, an AI-powered communication tool that makes two-way communication between families and schools more accessible, helping schools identify barriers to attendance and respond more effectively.
What Families Can Expect
- When a student is marked absent, parents/guardians will receive a text message from Edia.
- Messages will be sent in the family's preferred language as listed in PowerSchool.
- Families can respond directly by text without downloading an app.
- Responses are routed to school staff, and attendance records in PowerSchool are updated based on the information provided.
- Edia identifies and flags responses that require follow-up from a counselor or administrator, helping schools provide timely support to students and families.
Important Reminders
- ParentSquare remains our primary communication platform for school and district announcements, newsletters, and general communication. Edia is used specifically for attendance-related communication.
- Families have up to one week to excuse an absence.
- Teachers must take attendance daily and on time to ensure families receive timely notifications and attendance records remain up to date.
- Attendance clerks must review and clear flagged messages daily and notify appropriate staff of any required follow-up. Families will not receive additional Edia communications until the flag has been removed.
Attendance Notifications and Letters
Through Edia, schools will be able to send:
- Notifications for unexcused absences via text and email.
- 5-day and 10-day compulsory education notices for elementary students with unexcused absences.
- 5-day and 10-day truancy notices for secondary students with unexcused absences.
- 15-day compulsory education and truancy letters will be generated through Edia; however, schools remain responsible for printing and sending these notices via certified mail or personal delivery and logging in PowerSchool under log entries.
In addition to messages related to unexcused absences, Edia will text and email reminders to families of students with excused absences. These messages will reinforce the importance of regular attendance while recognizing that some absences are unavoidable and beyond a family's control.
To ensure consistent attendance communication across the district, please discontinue the use of attendance letters and notices that are not generated through Edia. The letters and notifications available in Edia are the district-approved communications for attendance concerns and support.
Support
Secretaries received training on reviewing and unflagging messages on August 3, 2026. Guidance for reviewing and removing flags can be found in the DDC under Attendance.
Office hours will be offered soon. If you need immediate assistance, please reach out to IT or me directly.
Resources
Resources to support attendance communication can be found in DDC - Attendance- Resources: Back to School, including:
- Attendance flyers for families (translated)
- Attendance tracker
- Elementary Attendance PPT (translated)
- Secondary Attendance PPT (translated)
Schools are encouraged to share the attendance flyer and attendance tracker with families and include the appropriate attendance PowerPoint in Back-to-School Night presentations.
Thank you for your partnership as we work together to improve attendance, strengthen family engagement, and support our students’ success.
