January Attendance Newsletter

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break and had the opportunity to spend quality time with family. The start of a new year invites us to re-energize, embrace fresh ideas, and set meaningful goals. As we look ahead, let’s reflect on our strengths and achievements while focusing our energy and passion on the important dates and exciting events coming up this year. Here’s to a positive, productive, and inspiring year ahead!

Only 15 days this month — let’s strive for 100% attendance

• January 5th - Quarter 3/Semester 2 begins
• January 19th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

Decreasing chronic absenteeism from 10.99% to 7.99%

• Freshmen (Class of 2029)
  • 2 chronically absent students (out of 84 total students) = 2.4% (currently down by 6.24% from last year)
• Sophomores (Class of 2028)
  • 6 chronically absent students (out of 85 total students) = 7.1% (currently down by 7.41% from last year)
• Juniors (Class of 2027)
  • 4 chronically absent students (out of 60 total students) = 6.7% (currently down by 4.11% from last year)
• Seniors (Class of 2026)
  • 2 chronically absent students (out of 66 total students) = 3.0% (currently down by 7.71% from last year)
• Total: 14 chronically absent students (out of 295 total students) = 4.7% (currently down by 6.29% from last year)

As we move through winter and into Quarter 3, our focus is strengthening attendance and punctuality. Attendance data shows a clear connection between being present, arriving on time, and academic success—especially in a fast-paced high school environment.

Attendance & Achievement

Missing just two days per month can result in nearly 20 days of lost instruction over the course of a school year. At the high school level, this can mean missed lessons, incomplete coursework, and difficulty keeping up with credits and graduation requirements. Each day of attendance is a “snowflake of achievement” contributing to long-term success.

Quarter 3 Focus: Reducing Tardies

During first semester, our school recorded over 3,000 tardies. Each tardy represents missed instruction at the start of class, disrupted learning time, and lost opportunities for academic engagement. It is important to note that students are expected to arrive on time to every class period throughout the school day. Even arriving a few minutes late to multiple classes can quickly add up to hours of missed learning over a semester.

Quarter 3 is a critical opportunity to reset expectations and build stronger routines. Students and families can help reduce tardies by:

• Planning for on-time transitions between classes
• Preparing materials and clothing the night before
• Setting consistent bedtime and wake-up schedules
• Allowing extra travel time during winter weather

To encourage positive attendance habits, the class with the fewest tardies and absences during Quarter 3 will win the Quarter 3 No Tardy Party! This incentive promotes accountability, teamwork, and school pride while recognizing students who prioritize attendance and punctuality.

Staying Healthy This Winter

Illnesses can impact attendance, but healthy habits help students stay engaged:

• Get adequate sleep to support focus and immunity

• Wash hands frequently

• Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated

• Dress appropriately for cold temperatures

By prioritizing health, punctuality, and daily attendance, we can continue building snowflakes of achievement throughout winter and Quarter 3.

If your student is avoiding school for any reason, we have access to therapeutic counseling resources that focus on this specific need. Contact the attendance secretary, a school administrator, or a school counselor to get a referral to work with a licensed therapist.

• Please call in if your child will be missing school for the entire day or for just one class period.
• Bring in doctor’s notes if the absence was for a medical appointment. This will help us in marking students with the correct attendance code.
• School starts at 7:45 a.m. and lunch is over at 12:35 p.m. Students need to be here before those times to not be marked tardy.

Attendance Questions: Contact Bianca Diaz 928-337-2221 - bianca.diaz@staff.sjusd.net