Dear SMASHing Families,
The Santa Monica-Malibu school district is now using a new attendance program known as Attention2Attendance.SMASH MUST FOLLOW THE DISTRICT ATTENDANCE RULES.There is a more detailed handout with your Friday Letter that you and your child must read, sign and return to the SMASH front office by Friday, December 10. Here are the essentials:
We are compelled to report ALL absences and tardies of 30 minutes or more. Letters will be generated as follows:
Truancy Letter #1
The first notification of truancy letter will be generated as soon as a student accumulates any combination of 3 unexcused day absences or tardies in excess of 30 minutes.
The California Education Code states, “The parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the pupil at school” (E.C. 48260.5) and allows only three unexcused absences per year.”
Truancy Letter #2
This letter will be generated at 6 unexcused absences or tardies.
A conference with the principal must be scheduled.
Truancy Letter #3
This letter is generated at 9 unexcused absences and/or tardies after conference with the principal.
Your child’s name will be submitted to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB).At SARB, you and your child will appear before a panel comprised of representatives from the police department, administrators and support staff from the school district, the District Attorney’s office and community support programs.
EXCESSIVE EXCUSED ABSENCES
This letter is generated after 10 excused absences to inform you of the following:
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Bereavement; Illness (a contagious disease, a temperature over 100 degrees, symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, chronic illness or other conditions with written orders from a doctor to stay home); Medical Appointment; Judicial; Religious Holiday
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Parent reason; Vacation; Cut; Unexcused (not notifying SMASH office of absence); Tardy 30 minutes or more
If you have questions about the above after reading the detailed handout, please contact me for clarification. Historically, SMASH culture has been very understanding of late arrivers and frequent absenteeism, so please take note of this District mandated shift.I don’t want anyone caught by surprise with this truancy process.
Hoping many of you enjoyed the Art and Drama Sharings, Holiday Boutique, Book Fair Opening, and will be there to support the Holiday Singers 9:00am at the Farmers Market on Main Street on Sunday.
Jessica
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The SMASHing Student Council is proud to sponsor the 1st ever…
ALL-SMASH BOOK CLUB! ALL CORES, ALL STUDENTS, ALL FAMILIES!
The whole school will be reading the C.S. Lewis Classic
THE LION, THE WITCH and the WARDROBE at home,
then coming together to have a book club talk in January.
Join the fun--pick up your copy at the Book Fair from 12/3 - 12/ 10.
Don’t forget to wear your pajamas for Literacy Night, Wednesday Dec. 8, 6:00-7:30pm
Remember to visit the SMASH BOOK FAIR December 3 through December 10
Monday through Friday 8:00-8:45am and 1:30-3:30pm (and Literacy Night 6:00-7:30pm)
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WEDNESDAY BAKE SALE DATES
CORE 1: Jan 12 CORE 2: Dec 8 CORE 3: Dec 15 CORE 4: Jan 5 TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH CORE 2: Dec 10
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SMASHing
Dec 5 at the Main Street Farmer’s Market
Singers be there at 8:30am for the 9:00 am performance
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Wed, Dec. 8 - 6:00 - 7:30 pm - Literacy Night at SMASH Book Fair. Wear your pajamas!
Wed, Dec.15 - 5:00pm - Site Council Meeting
Wed, Jan. 5 - 8:30am - PTSA Meeting
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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Thursday-Friday-Saturday, December 2 - 11 at 7:00pm Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5 www.samohitheatre.org
(Olivia Mugalian is Puck this Saturday, Dec. 4 & is a fairy w/ Nicole Andrews the other nights)
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Now through December 11, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm Tickets $15 For information call 310-828-7519
(Sadie Saltzman plays 2 roles)
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HOLIDAY TREE & MENORAH LIGHTING PARTIES
SAT, DEC. 4;
SUN, DEC 5:
5:15pm - Menorah Lighting Ceremony
6:00 - 8:00pm - Winterlit Celebration Concert & Tree Lighting
www.downtownsm.com
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National Council of Jewish Women/
Sun, Dec 5 - 8:30am-12:30pm
NCJW/LA Parking Lot -
Select from thousands of pieces of clothing and books for women, men & children
No suitcases, Backpacks or Bags allowed. Bags provided.
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
For Information Please Call 323-852-8515 or elizabeth@ncjwla.org www.ncjwla.org
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SMASH Camping / Cabin Trip
Join SMASH May 6, 7, and 8 at
Hiking, Campfire Songs, S'mores and more.
65 people have already signed up. Cabins are available this year as well as Tents.
Only 2 Cabins Left! Cabins go up $10 per family after winter break so sign up by December 17.
Forms are in the main office. For questions contact Elizabeth Kramer, elizabethrita@gmail.com, (310) 433-5612
ELEMENTAL STRINGS - WINTER CONCERT
Friday, December 10 at 7:00pm -
Tickets available at the door. $5 adults and $2 students (suggested donation)
For more information, please check http://www.elementalstrings.com/
Thursday, December 16, @ 7 pm in Barnum Hall (
COST: $5 Students, $10 Adult (Tickets sold at the door)
6th, 7th & 8th graders and a parent may come free of charge - tell the box office you are from SMASH
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Join us to create unique
December 4 & 11 from 10:00am to 1:00pm $5.00 per person Refreshments served
reDiscover Center -
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Westside Ballet of Santa Monica presents: The Nutcracker
Wadsworth Theatre - Dec 4, 5, 11 & 12 Saturdays: 2:00 & 7:00 and Sundays: 1:00 & 5:00
All Tickets $30. Contact Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com
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FREE FAMILY AFTERNOON CONCERT - Saturday, Dec 11 - 3:30pm
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WESTSIDE FOOD BANK CANNED
Now through December 13
Please make sure that all food donated has not been opened if it is not individually wrapped, and that the inner packaging is still intact. Please no glass (except baby food) and no expired food.
Thanks! www.westsidefoodbankca.org
NEEDED
Cans of: tuna, vegetables & soup; fruit and fruit juices; pork & beans; stews and other meats
Packaged foods: pasta, lentils, pinto & other beans; macaroni & cheese and packaged dinners; instant soups; hot & cold cereals; peanut & other nut butters; nutritional bars, protein bars, granola, energy & breakfast bars
Baby Foods: Infant formula; jar foods-all flavors & stages; crackers, teething biscuits, cookies; raisins & fruit snacks; juices in jars, cans, pouches & boxes; infant & children’s cereals
In addition to the items listed above, the Westside Food Bank always needs
Blankets & towels. Clean new or gently used.
Travel size sundries are urgently needed! shampoo & conditioner; soap; bath & shower gel; toothpaste & toothbrush
Paper products & supplies: plastic forks, spoons & knives; paper plates & cups; paper towels & napkins; small packages of condiments such as ketchup, mustard, sugar, salt & pepper
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Family Festival Celebrating The Art of Ancient Greek Theater at the Getty Villa
Sunday, December 5 - 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Free Admission: a ticket is required. Call (310) 440-7300
Bring your family's entire cast of characters along to celebrate The Art of Ancient Greek Theater during this daylong festival of learning, crafts, and performance. Children and adults can fashion their own Greek theater masks, costume themselves as ancient actors, and applaud or join in pint-sized versions of classical Greek comedies onstage. Make sure to reserve your tickets so you have parking!
Casting Call—Greek-Theatre Clay Masks, Led by Marni Gittleman
Make authentic expressions by shaping, styling, forming, and exaggerating facial features from forehead to chin! Create palm-sized terracotta masks inspired by the traditional styles of ancient Greek theatre masks. Work with air-dry clay and use press molds and clay tools to create your own unique cast of a mask form.
http://www.getty.edu/education/kids_families/programs/villa_family_festival.html
The City of
The 5th Annual Tree of Life
& The 63rd Annual
Toys for
TREE OF LIFE - during the holiday season the cemetery will be displaying a 30-foot living pine tree in the lobby of the mausoleum to allow families and friends the opportunity to visit the mausoleum and hang an ornament on the tree in memory of a love one that has passed away. The cemetery will provide ornaments which can be personalized. At the end of the holiday season, the tree will be planted on the grounds. The tree and ornaments will be available December 1 through December 23 at noon.
TOYS FOR TOTS - Since 1947 Toys for Tots coordinators have distributed over 419 million toys to 195 million needy children. With over 13 million children living in poverty, Toys for Tots needs your help more than ever. Woodlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum will be participating as an official toy drop off site. Donations of new unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Cemetery business office through December 20.
1847 14th Street (at Pico) 310-458-8717 or www.smgov.new/woodlawn
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am until 4:30pm; Saturday & Sunday 10:00am until 3:30
INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN THE MAIN OFFICE
In order to save on paper (and Wende’s time) we will occasionally list flyers that may be of interest
to the SMASH community instead of sending them home as attachments.
City of
Flyers and applications for classes are in the SMASH office
Tesoro Escondido -
Winter Camps for ages 3-8 beginning January 10 and ages 4-10 beginning December 20
Register online at http://recenroll.smgov.net
Brit-West Soccer - at
Half Day Camp - ages 4-14
Full Day Camp - ages 7-14
Register online at www.britwestsoccer.com
Socceropolis -
Boys & Girls ages 4-9
5 Star Sports Camps -
Boys and Girls ages 4-10
Mini Camps, Mommy/Daddy & Me Sports, Skills, T-Ball, Basketball, Flag Football & Soccer
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9th Annual Edition of
The Education & Enrichment Guide
(www.eucationandenrichment.com)
Printed resource guide for schools, enrichment activities, education resources, community connections and coupons
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Knott’s Berry Farm Discount Coupons
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Santa Monica Playhouse Winter Break Theatre Camp (santamonicaplayhouse.com)
Theatre for Boys & Girls ages 6-14.
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Christmas Trees on
Bring flyer for 10% discount
Run by Boy Scout Troup 2 of
DECEMBER LUNCH MENU
Mon, 12/6 - Baked chicken nuggets w/baked potato wedges, wheat roll, fruit
Tue, 12/7 - Salad Bar w/grilled cheese sandwich, Sun Chips
Wed, 12/8 - Salad Bar w. teriyaki chicken w/steamed rice
Thurs, 12/9 - Salad Bar w/taco bar
Fri, 12/10 - Pizza slice w/baby carrots, icee juicee
Mon, 12/13 - Baked chicken roundups w/baked potato roundabouts, wheat roll, fruit
Tues, 12/14 - Salad Bar, chicken fajitas w/flour tortilla, churro
Wed, 12/15 - Corn dog w/backed potato smiles, fruit, holiday cookie
Thurs, 12/16 - Grilled burger on wheat bun w/crinkle fries, fruit
Fri, 12/7 - Pizza wedge w/3-way salad, fruit
December 20 - 31 Winter Break - School Closed
Second Choice Vegetarian Menu:
12/1-12/3 - Toasted cheese sandwich
12/6-12/10 - Bean Burrito
12/13-12/17 - Cheese quesadilla
Students may choose the featured hot lunch, or salad bar, or vegetarian option
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CORE 1 NEWS
CORE 1 GIVES THANKS!
Thank You for Participating in Our SMASHing Core 1 Art Share! If you were unable to make it, the share took place in all three rooms and the participants rotated through the experience. In the Golden Galaxy hundreds of photographs of the children’s experiences was shown on our SMARTBoard. In the
A HUGE thank you to Julianna Ostrovsky, Marni Gittleman, Mary Beth Trautwein, Jessica Rishe and all the Parents who have helped throughout our art classes this term!!! We could not have provided this opportunity for the children without you.
“I loved seeing my art next to other people’s work.” ~Ocean, Core 1
“The installation and student work achieved, is like anything you would see in an art gallery around town.”
Marni Gittleman, ~SMASH Art Coordinator
Take Home “A Piece” of Our Art Program Experience, While Continuing Your Support of the Arts in Core 1!
Core 1 SMASHing Arts Memory Game:
24 images of student art details and nature photographs from our art experience,
duplicated & produced as a concentration matching game! $12 per game
Core 1 Photo Process CD:
Get your own copy of hundreds of photos of the children of Core 1 making art throughout our 9-week study!
$12 per CD
Get BOTH for only $20
The student images in the memory game are abstract details, and represent the work that ALL of the children participated in. It is a true representation of their experience. The photographs of the work were taken by Mary Beth Thautwein of reDiscover, and are truly pieces of art! A sample is available in Core 1 if you are interested in taking a look. The photo CD includes specific photograph of the children’s work, and them working on their art. It will be professionally burned and printed with a label.
The memory games and photo CDs will be produced ONE TIME ONLY. So if you are interested,
please order yours today! Order Forms Available in the Friday Folder, and in Core 1.
December Birthday Bash will be on Friday, December 10 at 11:45am
Family and Friends are invited as the entire Core 1 celebrates our December birthdays.
Please sign up in the
Thanks, again, for all you do to support our work in Core 1!
Candis, Chrysta, Graciela, Jackie, and Karin
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
Don’t forget to get your copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to join in the 1st All-SMASH Book Club.
SMASH Book Fair is coming December 3 through December 10. Details on Page 1 of The Friday Letter.
Don’t forget to wear your pajamas for Literacy Night, Wednesday Dec. 8, 6:00-7:30pm
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CORE 2 NEWS
Advisory News: We continue to practice, discuss, and develop accountability for different aspects of CARES each week. We examine our strengths and areas for improvement—and we’ve found that some of us have individual CARES goals and our whole group is working on certain CARES skills. ***Family HW: Have a discussion about sharing with others during hard times, and help your child find food to donate to the Food Bank collection in Core 2 by 12/13 (we learned that Food Banks are getting record numbers of people this year—and some are running out of food!).
Literacy:
RW: The students continue reading their Just Right Books independently in class (and at home, we hope!), reading non-fiction (textbooks, library books, and internet resources) for their Theme Projects, and listening to a variety of fiction and non-fiction read alouds. Tamara, Jayme, and Laura have filled a basket of wish-list books from the Book Fair and we deeply appreciate all book donations to the classroom. We are also very excited about our first ever All-SMASH Book Club Book—The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe! Be sure to pick up a copy at the Book Fair to read as a family! ***RW HW: Core 2 students--continue reading for at least 30 minutes at home each day.
WW: The students are using Story Mountain Maps to plot the scenes in their Realistic Fiction stories and using that tool as a guide to draft their stories scene by scene in a draft booklet. ***WW HW: Core 2 students—every time we have a guest, it is an opportunity to learn new information and add to what we already know. Write a thank you note to Nina, Eli’s mom, for sharing her Hanukkah stories and traditions with us—the latkes, the dreidels, and gelt—and tell her one thing you learned from her.
Theme: The students are sifting through all the lessons/activities we have done in our Botany/Biology unit to find 3 – 5 facts and choosing a way to show what they learned (skit, written report, all-about book, speech). Come see what we’ve been doing in RW, WW, and Theme (non-fiction reading and writing) at Literacy Night 12/8 6:00—7:30!
Math:
Both 3G and 4G worked together to take data that the 3G had gathered and make pie charts.
Laura’s 3rd graders began their third unit – Collections and Travel Stories. They have made a 1,000s chart and plugged in Landmark Numbers (like 10, 20, 25, 50, etc) that will help them when they are looking for a 3-digit number. See attached family letter about this unit. 3G Math HW is due 12/10.
Tamara’s 4th graders continued Describing the Shape of the Data. They compared the heights of 4th graders with 1st graders. We critiqued our representations for clarity and accuracy. They also practiced using range, cluster, outlier, and median to interpret and discuss the data. See attached letter for ways to support this learning at home. 4G Math HW is due 12/10.
Drama with Kristy: We hope you had a chance to join us at the Holiday Boutique to see all the fabulous work our artist in residence, Kristy, has been doing in Core 2. The students are anxious to share their new skills with you! The students will be performing Playback Theater for Core 2 families on Thursday, December 9 from 9:30 – 10:15. We hope some of you will be able to join us! DVDs will be available.
Wish list: that there will be no hungry children in the world
Dates to Remember:
Monday, December 6 – Book Fair (Get your copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!
Wednesday, December 8 – Literacy Night/Pajama Night
Thursday, December 9 – Core 2 Arts Sharing from Drama with Kristy
Monday, December 20 – Friday, December 31– Winter Break!
Tamara, Laura, Jayme, Nadja, and Karin
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org Tamara: tmugalian@smmusd.org Jayme: j.wold@smmusd.org
Don’t forget to get your copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to join in the 1st All-SMASH Book Club.
SMASH Book Fair is coming December 3 through December 10. Details on Page 1 of The Friday Letter.
Don’t forget to wear your pajamas for Literacy Night, Wednesday Dec. 8, 6:00-7:30pm
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CORE 3 NEWS
6th gr Math w/
5th gr Math w/ Genie: We have been busy working in our new unit on Volume and 3D Geometry.They are learning that knowing multiplication, multiples and factors are a big part of figuring out volume.This unit also stresses visual understanding—what can you see, what's your mental picture?If you look at a box flattened out, can you picture it put together?
Science: This week we did a demonstration lab to help our understanding of the following vocabulary terms: mixtures, solutions, solutes, solvents, dilute, concentrated, saturated, and alloys.Next week we will be doing an experiment to test the vitamin C level of different liquids.If your child would like to bring in a small amount of a liquid to test, they may bring it on Monday.
Theme:The deadline for the houses is rapidly approaching!Next Wednesday, the houses will be on display during Literacy Night. Final houses are due to be assessed on Mon, 12/13. Ask your child how their house is coming along.Most students are working on the final details and are coming up with very creative ideas to make their house stand out from the others.Students are welcome to work on the houses at home - as long as they are extra careful about keeping them intact as they are quite fragile.
Social Studies & Geography w/
Reading & Writing Workshop w/ Genie:We've started our new Reading Unit, Nonfiction Reading!We are thinking about strategies that help us read nonfiction which are important in understanding the world and other subject areas.We are also taking notes in workshop to practice how listening, reading, and note-taking help us learn and understand new information.Share some nonfiction reading you are doing with your child.Take a look in your child's reading and writing notebook for notes taken during lessons.The writers are editing and publishing their fairytales, myths and fables.Their rubrics allow them to be more independent so check in with your child about their piece, look at their rubric, and plan on coming to the Core 3 Sharing at the PJ Literacy Night, Wednesday, the 8th from 6:00-7:30.
Homework:
6g Math - 1.) ACE pages 12 and 13 due 12/6/10, 2.) Signed Student Self-Assessment of the last unit along with the final assessment due 12/6/10
5g Math - Packet #11 is DUE 12/10
Social Studies - The Circuit - Read through page 95 - Complete Chapter 'Learning the Game'" by Wed, 12/8
Theme - Final houses, façade sketch, and write-up DUE 12/13/10
Writing – Myths, Fairytales, and Fables piece DUE 12/8, make sure Rubric is complete
Don’t forget to get your copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to join in the 1st All-SMASH Book Club.
SMASH Book Fair is coming December 3 through December 10. Details on Page 1 of The Friday Letter.
Don’t forget to wear your pajamas for Literacy Night, Wednesday Dec. 8, 6:00-7:30pm
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CORE 4 NEWS
Core Four News: In the preceding Friday Letter, I introduced the refined evaluation process focused upon “Habits of Mind” that Darwin and I will be fully implementing after the holidays. In essence, we are saying that our mission is to help students acquire effective habits of the mind, the heart, and of work. We believe that this will lead to higher quality learning experiences while honoring SMASH community preferences. Today I will be providing references and links to the academic research that underlies our decision to move in this direction formally.
If you are familiar with Steven Covey’s book The seven Habits of Highly Effective People you have already encountered this body of research. In this book, aimed at MBAs and other business people he “presents an "inside-out" approach to effectiveness that is centered on principles and character. Inside-out means that the change starts within oneself.” This resonated with the extended core four team over the years as we sought to lay the foundation for “sticky” learning that includes serious academic content, engaging process, and higher rates of information retention. More information about this may be found at: https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=902aa4ae2ae2422587257bfcda4d227c&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.quickmba.com%2fmgmt%2f7hab%2f
The best explanation of the philosophy underlying our decision was authored by education researchers Costa and Kallick and has become the foundation of many schools nationwide and locally. A wealth of information is available for you to digest at: https://email.smmusd.org/owa/redir.aspx?C=902aa4ae2ae2422587257bfcda4d227c&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.instituteforhabitsofmind.com%2f
Once you find the website, click on the tab that says ”Habits of Mind” and you will be invited to download the original research complete with compelling quotes and interesting examples of how effective people operate. Please take a minute to look this research over and consider how we may elevate the quality of the learning conversation at SMASH. I am excited about the potential gains for our children of refining our practice here in the middle school and invite your input. Please drop around or email me if you have questions.
8th Grade submissions of yearbook covers (front and back) are due on Monday, December 13.
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org Darwin:dmendinueto@smmusd.org
Don’t forget to get your copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to join in the 1st All-SMASH Book Club.
SMASH Book Fair is coming December 3 through December 10. Details on Page 1 of The Friday Letter.
December 3, 2010
Dear SMASH Families:
The Santa Monica-Malibu school district is now using a new attendance program known as
Attention2Attendance. SMASH MUST FOLLOW THE DISTRICT ATTENDANCE RULES.
We are compelled to report ALL absences and all tardies of 30 minutes or more.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Bereavement
Illness (a contagious disease, a temperature over 100 degrees, symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, chronic illness or other conditions with written orders from a doctor to stay home);
Judicial
Religious
Medical Appointment
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Parent reason
Vacation
Cut
Unexcused (not notifying SMASH office of absence)
Tardy 30 minutes or more
Letters will be generated as follows:
The first notification of truancy letter will be generated as soon as a student accumulates any combination of 3 unexcused day absences or tardies in excess of 30 minutes.
“……..Students quickly fall behind academically if they are tardy for school or they have excessive absences. We are concerned your child is missing valuable instruction. SMMUSD is mandated by California Education Code 48260.5 to notify you in writing of the following:
1. The pupil is truant
2.The parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the pupil at school
3.Parents or guardians who fail to meet these obligations may be guilty of an infraction and subject to prosecution pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with E.C. Section 48290) of Chapter 2 of Part 27
4. Alternative education programs are available in the district
5. The parent has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the pupil’s truancy
6. The pupil may be subject to prosecution under E. C. Section 48264
7. The pupil may be subject to suspension, restriction, or delay of pupil’s driving privilege pursuant to Section 13202.7 of the Vehicle Code
It is recommended that the parent or guardian accompany the pupil to school and attend classes with the pupil for one day.
Your child may be considered truant from school pursuant to the provision of Section 48260 of the California Education Code that states, “Any pupil subject to compulsory full-time education who is absent from school without a valid excuse more than three days or tardy in excess of 30 minutes on each of more than three days in one school year is truant”. If excessive absences are due to illness, the school district may require a doctor’s note to verify any more than two consecutive days of illness. If the student needs to be out of school for a prolonged period of time due to illness, the parents may request the district provide a home and hospital instructor.
The California Education Code states, “The parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the pupil at school” (E.C. 48260.5) and allows only three unexcused absences per year.”
Truancy Letter #2
This letter will be generated at 6 unexcused absences or tardies.
“…..Per the California Education Code, your child is at risk of being classified as a habitual truant. If the child is judged a habitual truant (E.C. 48260, E.C. 48261, E.C. 48621) a report may be submitted to the School Attendance Review Board.”
A conference with the principal must be scheduled.
Truancy Letter #3
This letter is generated at 9 unexcused absences and/or tardies after conference with the principal.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Education Code 48262: Any pupil is deemed a habitual truant who has been reported as a truant three or more times”.
Despite numerous communications and attempts to support your child, your child’s attendance has not improved. Our staff would like to assist you in resolving your child’s poor attendance. Your child’s name will be submitted to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB). At SARB, you and your child will appear before a panel comprised of representatives from the police department, administrators and support staff from the school district, the District Attorney’s office and community support programs. The panel will review your child’s attendance file. You will have an opportunity to discuss the situation with them. At the conclusion of the hearing, the SARB panel members will make recommendations to help you and your student re-establish normal attendance patterns. You will be asked to sign an intervention plan agreeing to participate in the programs recommended by the panel. Failure to uphold the contract will result in your case being referred to the District Attorney.”
Excessive Excused Absences Letter
This letter is generated after 10 excused absences to inform you of the following:
“After 14 days of excused absences, the parent will be required to provide verification from the child’s physician to clear additional absences (California Education Code Section 46011).
With this in mind, below are guidelines to follow when your child misses school.
A child is too ill to attend school if she/he has a contagious disease, a temperature over 100 degrees, symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, chronic illness or other conditions with written orders from a doctor to stay home. Children can and should attend school with less severe symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and stomachaches.
State law requires parents to have their children attend school unless the child is ill, has a medical appointment, is attending the funeral of an immediate family member, or is participating in an authorized religious activity (E.C. Sections: 46010, 46014, 18200, 48205, 48260, 48290). Future unverified absences will be recorded as unexcused truancies. Whenever your child misses school for a verifiable excused reason, you must provide supporting documentation. Verification may include notes from doctors, dentists or other medical professionals (on their letterhead), funeral notices or other supportive documentation, within 72 hours of the absence. For children with a chronic illness, please have the physician provide clear guidelines for ongoing absences.
If you do not have access to health services, please contact Healthy Families at 1-800-880-5305. They offer assistance for low cost and free health care programs.”
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND RETURN TO THE SMASH OFFICE
NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2010.
STUDENT NAME___________________________________
Please Print
I have read and understand the SMMUSD attendance policy
Parent/Guardian Name:_____________________________________________
Please Print
Relationship to Student ______________________________
Please Print
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________ Date__________
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ Date__________
