Mrs. Anahi Amador

School Counselor (last names A-L)

Ms. Gloria Ortiz

School Social Worker

Mrs. Miriam Jaimes

School Counselor (last names M-Z)

In this edition, we would like to spotlight attendance and its importance as we return to this school year and really every year, because everyday counts when it comes to attendance.

Research from Attendance Works looks at chronic absenteeism or “missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absences for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions, can translate into students having difficulty in learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school.”

Many absences among young students are excused and often tied to health problems and/or mental health issues. Other barriers include lack of transportation, a safe route to school or food insecurity (https://www.attendanceworks.org). If your student is struggling with their attendance for any of the reasons above or another reason please reach out to us or their school’s support staff, we may be able to help.

Prepare a Family Help Bank

Life can have many challenges and sometimes all we can do is prepare for possible scenarios. Attendance Works has created a family help bank that allows your family to have a back up plan to ensure your student(s) can get to school on days where the unexpected happens (https://www.attendanceworks.org). Sometimes during moments of crisis or unexpected events, maintaining a child’s routine is the best way to support their well-being and give them a sense of control and security.

Additional Tips for Parents By Grade Level in English and Spanish

• TK & Kindergarten

• Primary Years Program (1-5)

• Middle Years Program (6-8)

Routines

As we return to school from summer break or are just starting school for the first time it is important to create and have a consistent routine. This can be especially helpful for students who can feel nervous or easily overwhelmed. Some things to consider when creating these routines are:

• Validate how your student is feeling.

• Create a morning routine and discuss with your student the day before. Continue to communicate with your child and adjust the routine if need be.

• Create a bedtime routine as well. This may include limits on screen time and setting some small chores for your student to do before going to bed.

• Some children find it helpful to have visual reminders/schedules, practicing their schedule with someone for a couple of days/weeks and or setting a timer when working on different tasks.

For more detailed information, read further here in English and Spanish

Communicate With Your Child and Their Teacher(s)

Three years after the pandemic started it continues to bring on a lot of different feelings for everyone. If your family is concerned about sending your student to school, especially after possible exposure, it may be helpful to consider some of these tips (Spanish) for parents from the U.S. Department of Education (https://sites.ed.gov/). Talk with your child about the San Marcos Unified School District covid protocols and how they can keep themselves safe while at school. Please, monitor your email for communication from our school and San Marcos Unified District Office for up to date information regarding covid protocols. Also, reach out to your student’s teacher(s) with any concerns or questions you all may be having regarding covid and/or other issues related to your child’s school success. The more we know about the questions and concerns you have, the better we are able to support your family.

In an effort to encourage excellence in attendance for our younger learners, the school counseling team will be putting together an attendance challenge!

We will be monitoring the attendance of all of our TK/K students weekly starting the week of September 19th. We will calculate the percentage of weekly attendance for every TK/K classroom and add a graph in their doors so they can see their progress. At the end of the month, we will compare the attendance rates of all TK/K classrooms and the class with best attendance will receive an award and recognition during Friday Flag! In addition to the recognition, the students and the teacher in the class will receive extra recess time monitored by the counseling team.

We hope this challenge will motivate students to be in school while having a fun and peaceful competition. More information will be sent home the week of September 19th. Stay tuned!

• October 4th
• November 1st
• December 6th
• February 7th
• March 7th
• April 4th
• May 2nd
• June 6th

Latino Book & Family Festival on October 15, 2022 at Mira Costa College!

Click HERE for more information

• Student Wellness
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• Emergency Psych Evaluation Centers
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• Technology Resources and Support
• North San Diego County Food Resources