Whenever you can, try to take emotion out of the choice and follow the data.

Removing Algebra II is a great idea.  Statistical thinking benefits people in every area of their professional life.

Flipped brings some issues of its own.  Immediate feedback being one of them.

We can only loop in those who wish to be looped.  Making this important to the support people is critical.

Getting up and getting ready for the day makes a big difference.  Try to get them to do so. 

I have had students create infomercials before.  This is a process with multiple checkpoints that allow for scaffolding. 

Low stakes reading quizzes before class lead to more involved conversations.

Using group projects that end in one or two classes allows you to mix up the students constantly.

Use a "this one time" style of question where the student uses an example from their real life.