STAGG HIGH SCHOOL The Importance of Student Attendance

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL The Importance of Student Attendance Presented by: Kathryn Byers, Assistant Principal (209) 933 -7445, ext. 8456

STUDENT ATTENDANCE The objective of today’s parent coffee is to gain a clear understanding and appreciation between the connection of student attendance and student learning leading to HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

STAGG ATTENDANCE 2016 – 2017: 90. 69% 2015 – 2016: 91. 81% STAGG GRADUATION RATES 2016 – 2017: Not available until late October. 2015 – 2016: 80. 9%, an increase of 6. 4% Graduation and Attendance are connected!

ATTENDANCE FACTS Chronically absent is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. 10% = 18 or more school days. 18 days = 3 ½ weeks of school

ATTENDANCE FACTS Your children can suffer academically if they miss 10% of school days or about 18 days. That can be just one day every two weeks, and that can happen before you know it.

ATTENDANCE FACTS Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.

ATTENDANCE FACTS It doesn’t matter if these absences are excused or unexcused. They all represent lost time in the classroom and lost opportunity to learn.

ATTENDANCE FACTS Yes, students can make-up paper pencil tasks and assignments, but they miss valuable classroom discussions and collaboration amongst their peers and the teacher.

ATTENDANCE FACTS Your children can suffer academically if they miss 10% of school days or about 18 days. That can be just one day every two weeks, and that can happen before you know it. As a parent, how would you feel if your child’s teacher missed school one day every two weeks, or just two times each month? Both of these points have a negative impact on student learning!

ATTENDANCE FACTS Preschool is a great time to start building a habit of good attendance. Studies show that poor attendance in preschool can predict absenteeism in later grades.

ATTENDANCE FACTS Attendance matters as early as kindergarten. Studies show many children who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade can struggle academically in later years. They often have trouble mastering reading by the end of third grade.

ATTENDANCE FACTS By middle and high school, chronic absence is a leading warning sign that a student will drop out.

ATTENDANCE FACTS Too many absent students can affect the whole classroom, creating agitation and slowing down instruction.

ATTENDANCE FACTS Attendance matters for doing well in school and life. Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child graduate from college and keep a job. Absences can add up before you know it. Poor attendance is not just about unexcused absences or children willfully skipping school – excused absences can affect performance, too. As a parent you are responsible for making sure you child develops the habit of regular attendance.

FAMILIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Families should avoid extended vacations that require your children to miss school. Doctors appointments should be made for AFTER school. Set homework and bedtime routines that allow for 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours of sleep. Make sure that when the lights go out, so do the cell phones, video games and computers. Get to know the teachers and administrators. Set an example for your child. Do not ask your child to miss school for daycare or household errands or appointments.

FAMILIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Talk about the importance of showing up to school everyday, make that the expectation. Help you child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches and stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.

WHEN IS SICK TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL? Send me to school if…. � I have a runny nose or just a little cough, but no other symptoms. � I haven’t taken any fever reducing medicine for 24 hours, and I haven’t had a fever during that time. � I haven’t thrown up or had any diarrhea for 24 hours.

WHEN IS SICK TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL? Keep me home if…. � I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees even after taking medicine. � I’m throwing up or have diarrhea. � My eyes are pink and crusty.

WHEN IS SICK TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL? Call the doctor if…. � I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees for more than two days. � I’ve been throwing up or have diarrhea for more than two days. � I’ve had the sniffles for more than a week, and they aren’t getting better. � I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I’m having trouble breathing after using an inhaler).

NEGATIVE SOCIAL EFFECTS � Students are deprived of social skill development and friends. � If students are missing school to avoid academic or social problems, they may not develop important traits like resilience and grit. The positive habits students develop in school – such as regular attendance and follow-through – will likely carry over into jobs and life. � When students are not in school they are more likely to be involved in illegal activities, gangs, and even kidnapping or child trafficking.

PARENTVUE Do you know your child’s attendance? How many absences do they have? How many times have they been late to class? Parent. VUE

STOCKTON UNIFIED ATTENDANCE POLICY What is a truant student? Students shall be classified as truant if absent from school without a valid excuse three full days or corresponding number of period-grades 7 – 12 in one school year, or tardy or absent for more than any 30 minute period during the school day without valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof. Such students shall be reported to the Superintendent or designee. (Education Code 48260)

STOCKTON UNIFIED ATTENDANCE POLICY What does the Law Say? California Education Code (EC) section 48200 says, “each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years…. is subject to compulsory full-time education. EC 48260 says, “any pupil subject to full-time compulsory education who is absent from school without a valid excuse for three days in one school year or tardy or absent for more than 30 minutes during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination, thereof, is a truant. ”

STOCKTON UNIFIED ATTENDANCE POLICY What does the Law Say? EC 48263. 6 says, “any pupil subject to full-time compulsory education who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10% or more of the school year, from date of enrollment to current date, is deemed a chronic truant. ”

STOCKTON UNIFIED ATTENDANCE POLICY How do I clear an absence? Verification of absence must be given to the designated school site official within five school days from the last day of absence. Stagg High’s Attendance Office � (209) 933 -7445, ext. 8461 and 8462

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT If you are facing tough challenges related to access to health care, unstable housing, poor transportation or lack of food, you can and should seek out support from school and community.

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT Stagg High Counselor Assignments: � Last name begins with - A and B, and ELs Ms. Rodriguez, ext. 8471 C thru J, and PSA Mrs. Wirzberger, ext. 8477 K thru Q, and Sp. Ed. Mrs. Klopstock, ext. 8474 R thru Z, and AVID & PLUS Mr. Oki, ext. 8465 Stagg High School (209) 933 -7445

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT Stagg High Homework Center: � Days: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday � Hours: 2: 30 – 4: 00 � Location: Library � Support: Two (2) fully credentialed teachers available to tutor and assist students with assignments.

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT Cyber High – Credit Recovery � Target Grades: 11 th and 12 th grades � Possible for 10 th grade students after all 11 th and 12 th grade students who are credit deficient are enrolled. Call your child’s counselor for more information and enrollment.

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT Stagg High Healthy Start Services: � Health Education � Support groups � Mental health counseling � Drug/alcohol/tobacco abuse programs � Abstinence counseling � Nutrition counseling & exercise programs � Self-esteem and life management counseling � Mentoring, tutoring, after school activities

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT Stagg High Healthy Start Services, con’t: � Diagnoses & treatment of minor illnesses and injuries � Physical exams – routine and sports � Family planning services � Skin problems – acne � Pregnancy prevention counseling/tests � Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases / free HIV testing (209) 933 -7445, ext. 8509

STAGG HIGH SCHOOL & SUSD FAMILY SUPPORT Stagg High SRO (School Resource Officer): Officer Moppins (209) 933 -7445, ext. 8495

IN CONCLUSION When students improve their attendance, they improve their academic prospects and chances for high school graduation! It is our goal that every student leave Stagg High School College and Career ready!