Maine School Administrative District Heather Manchester explains strategies being implemented to support the youngest of Oxford Hills students, many of whom are struggling with behaviors that interfere with their classroom progress. Nicole Carter/Advertiser Democrat

PARIS — Oxford Hills Middle School Principal Torrey Poland told Maine School Administrative District 17 directors Monday that her staff is working on decreasing chronic absenteeism and improving student grades.

“Our goal is to reduce absenteeism to below 30% this year,” Poland said. “So far, we’ve been at 23%.

“We also set a goal to increase student success. We set it to have at least 65% of students pass all of their classes. At the end of the second quarter, 79% of our kids are passing all classes.”

One adjustment that has been helpful is to reestablish academic detentions two afternoons a week for students who are not getting passing grades, Poland said. Teachers are also utilizing a Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) three-tiered system to determine the levels of support individual students need, including those who require more attendance and behavior interventions.

In her report, Superintendent Heather Manchester said administrators and educators are addressing gaps and behaviors observed in kindergarten through second grade.

The district’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst Kate Gilligan has led training for specialist teachers of art, music and physical education on methods to support and manage behaviors of younger students with lagging skills.

Coaches are focusing on kindergarten through second grade math and literacy training for elementary teachers. Manchester and the executive team are working with elementary principals on solutions that support academic achievement for the district’s youngest students.