Roll Call

By Linda Kaye Jones

Increasing the attendance rate this year will play a critical role as Westside Union School District attempts to manage its finances during these difficult times of State budget cuts.

During the 04-05 school year Westside Union lost over $300,000 in revenue due to student absences and truancies. At $26 dollars a day and 5-6% of your student population out or habitually tardy on any given day, these figures add up. This is money that goes directly into student programs. The more a child is in school the higher the District daily attendance rate, the greater the amount of funding that the District will receive from the State for classroom instruction and academic programs to benefit students. What parents and community members need to know is that public school districts in California receive their funding from the State based on the actual number of students who are present in class each day, not on the district's overall enrollment. Districts are not paid for students who are absent, no matter whether an absence is excused or unexcused with the exception of those students who are enrolled in independent study.

It is our responsibility as adults to teach students and model for them the importance of attendance now so that they are prepared for their future. Employers say attendance is a key factor in hiring and promoting employees. It demonstrates responsibility. In the private sector, employee absence equate to loss in production, which results in loss profits. The same is true for our children's production in their classrooms and the revenue the school receives for their attendance. According to research, there is a direct correlation between attendance and student achievement. Students that don't miss school get better grades, score well on standardized tests and are more likely to attend college.

As the district is not able at this time to allocate funds for additional staff to assist in this area, there are grants available through the State to assist districts in increasing school attendance. School Site Councils can also include attendance incentives in their school site plans for both students and staff. Most of all and more importantly, parents can play a major role by considering the following suggestions:

1. Plan family vacations and outings for during non- school hours and days only

2. Schedule non-emergency medical and dental appointments for times after school or at least 2-3 hours after the start of the school day (make sure that arrangements have been made with teachers ahead of time for assignments to be picked up)

3. Make sure your child's school has your accurate daytime contact information, including cell number and /or email address

4. Communicate often with your child's teacher. If you know your child is going to miss 4 or more days, arrange for independent study with their teacher or office ahead of time (schools do get funded for students on independent study)

5.Make sure the school is aware of any problems that may be causing your child to miss school so that support can be provided

Increasing the attendance rate this year will play a critical role as Westside Union School District attempts to manage its finances during these difficult times of State budget cuts. Parents and guardians can help by making sure that children are at school and ready to learn each day.