Skip to main content
District
  1. FAMILIES
  2. Attendance

Attendance

Attendance Matters

 

Students who consistently attend school develop positive relationships with their peers and teachers, which fosters a supportive learning environment. They also learn important life skills such as responsibility and time management, both of which are essential for success in school and beyond. Missing just a few days of school can quickly add up, leading to a range of academic challenges. Students who are frequently absent often fall behind in classwork and struggle to understand new material, as key concepts are often built upon previous lessons. This can result in difficulties with core subjects like reading and math, increasing the likelihood of academic struggles and a higher risk of dropping out in later years. Regular attendance helps children stay on track both academically and socially, ensuring they don’t miss out on critical learning opportunities that are essential for their success.

Quick Facts About Attendance

  • Attending school helps children build the skills they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.  
  • Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks. 
  • Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
  • Missing school regularly can make it harder for students to form strong relationships with their peers and teachers, leading to feelings of isolation and disengagement.
  • Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and have better job prospects. 

Attendance is key to academic success!


Good school attendance is 96 to 100% 

96% is no more than 7 absences a year

Don’t forget that tardies can add up to lost instructional time.

 

Chronic Absenteeism Action Plan at a Glance

SRUSD Logo

BOARD POLICIES RELATED TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

 Absences and Excuses

Excused Absences

Chronic Absence And Truancy

  • 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!

    Initial Truancy (EC§48260): Warning or Notice of Compulsory Education Violation

    • 3 unexcused absences in one year
    • Tardy or absent for more than any 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excused on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof
    • Student is first flagged as truant
    • LEA sends Notification Letter 1 (EC§48260.5) which alerts the parent of their legal responsibilities
    • Letter 1 Notifies the parent that…

    … their child is truant. 

    … they are is obligated to compel with compulsory attendance law

    … if they fail to meet this obligation may be guilty of an infraction and    

        subject to prosecution  

     … they have the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to 

          discuss solutions to the pupil’s truancy

    Second Truancy (EC§48261): Notice of Truancy

    • For any pupil who has once been reported as a truant and who is again absent from school or tardy for more than 30 minutes without a valid excuse in the same school year, i.e., student Incurs 1 more unexcused absence.
    • LEA sends Notification Letter #2
    • DA receives a copy of Letter #2 which means that the DA was made aware. 

    Third Truancy: Habitual Truant (EC§48262)

    • Any pupil is deemed a habitual truant who has been reported  as a truant three or more times per school year and incurs 1 more unexcused absence 
    • LEA sends Notification Letter 3
    • DA receives a copy of Letter #3
    • DA will set a mediation meeting day  
     

    Note: per EC§48262, no pupil shall be deemed a habitual truant unless an appropriate district officer or employee has made a conscientious effort to hold at least one conference with a parent or guardian of the pupil and the pupil himself

     

     

  • 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 1st Grade can lead to poor reading skills by 3rd 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 6th grade, chronic absenteeism is one of the leading indicators that a student will drop out of high school. By 9th grade regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th 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.