Staff Directory

Attendance Improvement

Alternate Instruction

Crisis Prevention and Response Team

Inter High Student Council

Medical Leave Home Instruction

McKinney Vento

The Crisis Prevention and Intervention Supports Department at Buffalo Public Schools, led by Director Aundrea Sanders, provides integrated services that promote student well‑being, academic success, and equitable access to education, including crisis response, attendance improvement, alternate instruction, medical leave instruction, and McKinney‑Vento supports.

BPS is proud to offer an enhanced model of the Crisis Prevention and Response Team. This model reflects adaptations and changes necessary to better meet standards outlined in the Education Bargain, specifically in terms of providing the highest quality services to our neediest children and families.

Regular attendance supports student success by maximizing interaction with teachers and peers. Effective attendance policies focus on early identification of issues and require collaboration among families, students, educators, and staff to reduce chronic absence and promote achievement.

Reducing Chronic Absence Starting in the Early Grades: An Essential Ingredient for Promoting Success in School. A Toolkit for City Leaders.

Related Files:
Attendance Improvement Toolkit | Attendance Improvement Initiative

This program ensures that homeless children and youth have equal access to free public education, including preschool, and the opportunity to meet state standards. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are considered homeless and are entitled to specific rights and supports.

McKinney-Vento eligible students have the right to:

• receive a free, appropriate public education;

• enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment,   or having missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness;

• enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents;

• continue attending the school of origin, or enroll in the local attendance area school if   attending the school of origin is not in the best interest of the student or is contrary to the   request of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth;

• receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested by the parent or   guardian, or by the local liaison on behalf of an unaccompanied youth; and

• receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according   to each student’s need.

The Alternate Instruction Program supports the District’s Education Bargain and ensures every student receives a high‑quality, equitable education. Instruction is offered virtually or in person; students receiving Special Education services, including IAES, are taught in person.

Instructional Time

• Grades K–6: 2 hours daily (about 30 minutes per core subject)

• Grades 7–12: 3 hours daily (about 45 minutes per core subject)

MLHI supports the District’s Education Bargain by ensuring students unable to attend school due to illness or hospitalization continue to receive high‑quality instruction. These services provide standards‑based learning for students during extended medical absences.

Instructional Time

• Elementary: Up to 10 hours per week

• Secondary: Up to 15 hours per week