Resources for Families
Partnering for Your Student's Success
We understand that life happens, and sometimes students might need to miss school. However, regular attendance is crucial for academic success. When elementary students miss 2 days a month or more, they fall behind, which can lead to frustration, behavior issues and difficulty making friends. Missing just 2 days per month (10%) is referred to as being chronically absent.
Remember:
- Communicate with the school and report student absences
- Some absences are excused, others are not and if you don’t report the absence it is unexcused.
- The school will reach out regularly to inform families of student attendance information.
Studies show a clear connection between regular school attendance and success in life. Students who attend school regularly are:
- More likely to graduate: Regular attendance significantly increases the chance of graduation.
- Developing positive lifelong habits: Being in school consistently helps students build good habits that carry over into their adult lives.
Less likely to drop out: Missing just 35 school days (20% of the academic year) can dramatically increase the risk of dropping out (by 75%).
Reporting an Absence
If your child needs to miss a class, it’s crucial to inform their school directly. By doing so, we can ensure that any absence is appropriately excused and that your child receives any necessary assignments or lessons from their teacher(s). Communication is key for continued learning.
How to Report an Absence:
- Use the Absence Form on the school website.
- Send a note with your child.
- Call the school.
- Email the Attendance Staff.
Include:
- Child’s name and grade
- Absence date(s)
- Reason for absence
- Your name and contact phone #
Missing School Work:
If your child’s absence is excused, you can request any assignments they missed from the school. This ensures your child remains on track and doesn’t miss out on any learning.
General Attendance Questions
For any general questions regarding attendance, please reach out directly to your child’s school or contact the Student Attendance & Engagement Office at Serna at 916-643-2121. It’s essential to get in touch with your child’s school:
- To report past, present, or future absences.
- To discuss or clarify any automated messages or letter(s) you’ve received.
Monitoring Attendance:
Attendance counts. Missing more than a day a month can be a setback for your child. Keep track easily by using the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Life happens, and we get that. Our motto is “help before harm.” We’re on your team to tackle any issues that make it hard for your child to attend school.
If you’d like to report an absence, please contact your school site directly.
Why we monitor attendance & engagement
Missing school regularly has severe consequences. Here’s a breakdown of why we at SCUSD track attendance:
Academic Risk: Chronic absence, which is missing 10% or more of school days, can lead to significant setbacks:
- Third-graders may struggle with reading.
- Sixth-graders could fail subjects.
- Ninth-graders are more likely to drop out.
- Disproportionate Impact: Children living in poverty, from communities of color, or with disabilities are more prone to chronic absences. They’re also most affected because they might lack resources to compensate for the lost days.
It’s Not Just Truancy: Many absences are excused and connected to genuine challenges:
- Health issues like asthma or diabetes.
- No school bus access or safe routes.
- Food insecurities.
- Connection & Engagement Matter: Building a meaningful relationship with peers and teachers is vital for student success. We aim not only for attendance but also for active engagement where students interact, think, and connect.
- Fall Behind: A student missing even 2 days a month is considered chronically absent, leading them to lag behind peers. For instance, kindergarteners with chronic absence often struggle with reading by third grade.
- SCUSD’s Data: In the 2022-23 school year, 29% of our K-12 students were chronically absent. This figure is alarmingly higher for students of color and our most vulnerable children. We’re aiming to improve this by ensuring every student is present and engaged, as their success in both school and life depends on it.
