Student Attendance & Engagement

We are the CARE Team – Connect. Ask. Relate. Engage.

Vision Statement

Authentic relationships with students, families and the community are at the core of our work to increase student attendance and engagement, reduce chronic absence and ensure academic success for ALL students, especially our most vulnerable and least well served students.

Our Vision Statement

Authentic relationships with students, families and the community are at the core of our work to reduce chronic absence, increase student engagement and ensure academic success for ALL students, especially our most vulnerable.

Why Chronic Absence Matters

(Information from Attendance Works)

Every day your child misses school is a lost opportunity for learning. Nationwide, students who are absent for 10% or more school days are at risk academically. Such absences can result in:

Third-graders struggling with reading.
Sixth-graders failing courses.
High school dropouts by ninth grade.

Especially concerning is that kids from disadvantaged backgrounds or communities of color, and those with disabilities, are more likely to be chronically absent. This isn’t just about truancy. Many reasons, like health issues or lack of transportation, contribute to these absences. Our focus isn’t just on daily attendance counts but identifying students who miss so much school they lag behind. The heart of education lies in meaningful connections – with peers, teachers, and engaging lessons. Regardless of how school looks, be it in-person or virtual, engagement is more than being “logged in.” It’s about actively participating and connecting. Even 2 days of absence a month categorizes a student as chronically absent. The consequences? A kindergartner with chronic absences might struggle to read by third grade. Those not reading at level by then are four times more likely to leave high school prematurely. In 2022-23, 29% of SCUSD’s K-12 students were chronically absent. That’s 12,000 students missing a month or more of school, a rate higher than the state’s average. The numbers are even more concerning for our children of color and the most vulnerable. For every SCUSD student to succeed, presence and engagement are key. This is a collective effort, and we need parents, students, and the community onboard. Let’s ensure every student gets the education they deserve.

Attendance & Engagement in SCUSD

The recent years have presented SCUSD with challenges that none could have anticipated. With a community of nearly 40,000 students, many from vulnerable backgrounds, the unforeseen closure of schools in 2020 not only disrupted educational routines but also deeply affected the emotional and social well-being of our students and families. This upheaval, combined with societal challenges such as racial unrest and teacher/staff strikes, has further highlighted the need for trust, understanding, and unity within our community.

Recognizing the increased absenteeism rate of 36% in 2021-2022, we’ve established the Student Attendance and Engagement Office as an essential component of our newly introduced Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Our mission? To foster strong relationships, ensure every student feels welcomed and secure, and actively address any obstacles that might hinder consistent school attendance.

We firmly believe that education can illuminate paths of opportunity, even in the most unpredictable circumstances. Our duty goes beyond just imparting knowledge; we’re here to inspire, lead, and guide our young minds. To achieve this, we rely on our partnership with parents and guardians, emphasizing the importance of both engagement and attendance.

The Attendance and Engagement Office has initiated a comprehensive attendance & engagement monitoring system for all our schools.

We invite you to join us in this journey. Together, we can ensure every SCUSD student thrives.

Parent and Family Resources

Absence and NEW Truancy Process:

Student success starts with regular attendance. The pandemic has led to a surge in chronic absences, affecting all SCUSD students, especially the most vulnerable.

SCUSD Attendance Paths:

Chronic Absence: Includes all excused, unexcused, and suspension days.
Truancy: Only counts unexcused or unverified absences. Truancy is automatically tracked. Upon the 3rd, 5th, and 7th unexcused absences, mandatory notifications are sent, per California Department of Education guidelines.

Steps:

3 Unexcused Absences: School contacts parent, sends Truancy Letter #1.
5 Unexcused Absences: Second outreach call made, Truancy Letter #2 sent.
7 Unexcused Absences: Parent is notified and an Engagement Support Plan (ESP) meeting is scheduled within 5 school days. Notification of ESP meeting is mailed.
ESP Meeting: A plan will be created with the student’s family and school staff to improve attendance.
Restorative SARB Referral: If ESP fails and absences continue to rise, a referral must be made.

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.

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.

Attendance Resources for Families:

Attendance Definitions:

Below is a short list of official attendance definitions based on California Education Code.

Chronic Absenteeism Rate:

This refers to students missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences as well as suspensions. Such absences can impact a student’s academic progress, from reading proficiency in third grade to potential dropouts by ninth grade.

Chronic Absentee:

Defined by the California Education Code (EC) Section 60901 ©(1), a chronic absentee is a student who misses 10% or more of school days when factoring in the total enrollment days and actual school days taught.

Truant:

In California, a truant is a student who, without a valid reason, misses more than 30 minutes of instruction three times in a school year. The goal of this classification is to prioritize attendance and minimize disruptions. As of 2013, school administrators can excuse absences based on a student’s unique circumstances, even if not listed in the standard reasons. The specific code is EC Section 48260.

MTSS Framework:

This framework aims to support all students, particularly our historically underserved black, brown, and most vulnerable students, such as those experiencing homelessness or in the Foster Youth System.

Chronic Truant:

As per EC Section 48263.6, a chronic truant is a student who, without a valid excuse, is absent for 10% or more of the school days in a year, given the district has followed necessary procedural sections.

Habitual Truant:

Defined by EC Section 48262, an habitual truant is a student reported as truant three or more times in a school year. Before this classification, the district must attempt at least one conference with the student’s parent or guardian.

SARB (School Attendance Review Board):

This community-based board focuses on assisting families with attendance challenges. Comprising community members, volunteers, and district staff, the SARB aims to provide resources and prevent students and families from entering the court system. If needed, a contract is signed by the student, guardian, and school based on the board’s directives.

ESP (Engagement Support Plan):

This is a school-based team including the student, family, school administrator, and other staff. The primary objective is to find solutions to improve a student’s attendance. A contract, agreed upon by the student, guardian, and school, is signed to adhere to the directives of the ESP Formerly known as the School Attendance Review Team (SART).

Staff Attendance Resources:

Attendance Contacts

Attendance & Engagement Main Office – (916) 643-2121

Jennifer Kretschman
Director, MTSS Student Attendance & Engagement

Sandra Laird
Student and Family Support Specialist

Child Welfare and
Attendance Specialists

Andrea Torres

Monica Lopez-Larios

Lucy Lewis

Karla Cortez

Autumn Brown