We believe that regular school attendance is essential for student succcess, and building the habit of going to school every day starts early. Starting in Kindergarten, too many absences (excused AND unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school. This is why developing the habit of regular attendance in the early grades plays a key role in helping your child develop strong academic and social skills, and it sets the stage for success in the next grade, and later in life. 

• The number of absences a student incurs in the first couple of months of school can predict poor attendance and lower academic performance throughout the school year. 
• Half the students who miss just 2-4 days in September miss nearly a month of school on average due to poor attendance habits.  
• Missing just 2 days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year. This is known as chronic absenteeism.
• Research shows that missing 10% of school negatively affects a student’s academic performance. 
• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help students catch up. 
• When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic performance and chances of graduating. 

At Santa Rita Union School District, we are committed to creating a positive and supportive environment where students are encouraged to attend school regularly. We have many supports that ensure every student can attend school every day. Our staff is dedicated to identifying and addressing any barriers to attendance and offering resources that help students and families succeed. 

Here are just a few ways we do that: 

• Child Nutrition: SRUSD offers FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL students
• School Counseling: All schools have counselors that can assist students with their learning plan and get them connected to resources on campus such as intervention.
• Health & Wellness: Our SRUSD Social Workers, Psychologists, Mental Health counselors, Restorative Justice Leads, and Nurses are here to support your child’s health and wellness from the inside out
• Expanded Learning Opportunities: We offer on-campus expanded learning opportunities for all our TK to 8th grade students and off-campus options are available as well.
• Foster & Homeless Youth Services: Our district’s Family Liaisons can get your student the resources they need to succeed in school. Their contact information is listed below.

McKinnon, La Joya, and John Gutierrez: 831.235.6408

Santa Rita, New Republic and Gavilan View: 831.235.6329

When students improve their attendance rates, they not only enhance their academic performance but also boost their chances of graduating and achieving long-term success. As a parent, you play a vital role in ensuring your child attends school regularly. Here are some ways you can help:

• Set a regular schedule: Establish consistent routines for bedtime, waking up, and getting ready for school.
• Communicate with the school: If your child is experiencing challenges that make attending school difficult, reach out to the school staff. We are here to support you.
• Reinforce the importance of attendance: Make your child's attendance in school a top priority and talk to your child about why going to school every day matters and how it impacts their future success.
• Stay engaged: Monitor your child’s academic progress and stay involved in their education.
• Minimize School Absences by Scheduling Appointments Strategically: Make your child's doctor or dental appointments outside the school day when possible. When it is not possible, bring your child to school before and after the appointment. 
• Plan Vacations Around School Breaks to Support Learning: Make plans for trips or vacations during regular school breaks, holidays, and vacations. Taking your child out of school on “extended family vacations” can have a negative effect on your child’s education. Please refer to SRUSD’s Academic Calendar when you plan your vacations.

In California, attendance is not only important for your child’s success—it’s also the law. School attendance is compulsory, meaning children are legally required to attend school regularly. Truancy occurs when a child has an excessive number of unexcused absences, and it can have serious consequences for both students and parents. Parents may be required to:

• Attend meetings with school officials to discuss the absences
• Face legal action, including fines or court appearances
• Participate in counseling or family services aimed at addressing the attendance issue

Our goal is to work with families to address attendance issues before they become a legal matter. We are committed to supporting you and your child’s journey to success.

If you have any questions about attendance policies or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school.

We're here to help!

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

Chronic absenteeism is when students miss 10% or more of school days, even if the absences are excused. Students who miss just two days of school each month (about 18 days a year) are considered chronically absent. 

When students are chronically absent, they miss out on critical learning experiences and fall behind academically. The consequences of chronic absenteeism can be profound and long lasting.  

• Lower Academic Performance: Absenteeism leads to learning gaps that make it harder for students to keep up with their peers. Chronic absenteeism in Kindergarten and 1^st Grade can lead to poor reading skills by 3^rd grade.
• Increased Risk of Failing Grades: Students who miss school frequently are more likely to struggle with core subjects like reading and math, Missing 10% (or about 18 days) increases the chance that the student will not read or master math at the same level as their peers. 
• Higher Dropout Rates:  By 6^th grade, chronic absenteeism is one of the leading indicators that a student will drop out of high school. By 9^th grade regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8^th grade test scores. 

The Santa Rita Union School District is dedicated to reducing chronic absenteeism

and ensuring that students have access to the education and resources they need to succeed.

Addressing Chronic Absenteeism is Important

Chronic absenteeism affects not only the individual student, but the entire school community. When students are regularly absent, ir disrupts the learning environment, making it harder for teachers to maintain continuity in instruction. Over time, high levels of chronic absenteeism in a school can impact overall performance, funding, and resources. 

There are many reasons why a student might be chronically absent.

• Health Issues: Ongoing illnesses or lack of access to healthcare can keep students out of school. 
• Family Challenges: Issues such as housing instability, lack of transportation, or parental obligations can prevent students from attending regularly. 
• Mental Health Concerns: Anxiety, depression, or bullying can make school feel like an unsafe or unwelcoming place for students. 
• Lack of Engagement: Students who feel disconnected from their school or struggle academically may be more likely to miss school. 

Our Commitment

At Santa Rita Union School District, we are committed to addressing chronic absenteeism. Our team is committed to working with families to address challenges that they and/or their child experiences so that we can and create a supportive environment where students can thrive. 

Understanding how it affects students, and how we can work together to prevent it is the first step towards fostering a culture of consistent attendance. We believe that addressing absenteeism early can lead to better outcomes and this is why we take a proactive approach to addressing this issue. 

• Monitoring Student Attendance: We carefully track attendance patterns and reach out to families when concerns arise. 
• Notifications: We inform families about their child’s absences to help address the issue early and prevent parents/guardians from having to go to truancy court.
• Providing Support Services: Our district offers a range of resources to remove barriers that may prevent regular attendance.
• Creating Engaging Learning Environments: We strive to make school a welcoming and inclusive place where students feel valued and excited to learn. 
• Working with Families: We believe in a strong partnership between the school and home. Our staff wprls closely with parents to identify issues and offer solutions to improve attendance. 

We are here to help!

If you are concerned about your child’s attendance or need assistance, please contact your child’s school today.