Mattos Family Update

Dear Mattos Families,

I have loved the positive vibes on campus the past two days as students and staff return from Winter Break. The "Happy New Year" wishes by so many have started 2025 off on a wonderful start. This year, I'm focusing on starting my day off with a positive message- whether it's a story I read online, a quote to inspire me, a song to lift me up, a text to a loved one, or a conversation with a mentor, colleague, student, or parent. Today, I found this quote and message:

“Success is built one January day at a time.” This emphasizes the beauty of small, consistent efforts. It’s a comforting thought that every little action today adds up to something bigger tomorrow. What’s one small win you can celebrate today?

Today, I celebrate time spent with TK students and staff who support them. Play dough pictures, snack time, sitting in the calm corner, and hopping on the turtle stones (and seeing them wait their turn) was one of the highlights of my day.

Thank you for working together for the success of your child and others. 2025 is going to be an amazing year at Mattos!

Together in education,

Sherea Westra

Principal

• FUSD Science Fair packets are outside the office (ask office staff if more are needed) AND are being distributed by Mr. Sandifer in Room 27.
• California Coastal Commission Art Contest- California students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme to the Coastal Art & Poetry Contest, presented by the California Coastal Commission.

Entries can be submitted online by 5pm on January 31st, 2025. For prize information, rules, contest flyer, entry form, please visit https://www.coastal.ca.gov/art-poetry/

• Yearbooks On Sale (see info below)
• New Student Enrollment (Siblings included): Begins January 2025
• Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School Closed)

Per FUSD Policy, the parent/guardian of any student who has accumulated more than 8 excused absences may be required to attend a conference with a school administrator and provide reasonable verification of illness before having any additional absences excused. (5 CCR 421, BP/AR 5113) Additionally, when a student has accrued 6 excused absences or more an irregular attendance letter(s) will be mailed home. Even though absences are excused, a student can still be deemed as chronically absent under California Ed Code 60901(c)(1).

Chronic absence: In California, chronic absence is typically defined as being absent for any reason

(excused or unexcused) for at least 10% of the school year. Thus, in a 180-day school year, a student

who misses 18 days of school or more is chronically absent.

If your child is going to be late or absent please email hliu@fusdk12.net. Ginger, our Office Assistant, will record the tardy or absence appropriately. Miss Ginger is also the point person on campus for Independent Study contracts if you are interested in one for a long period of absence. However, everyday at school matters, and I hope you will ensure good attendance all year long!

When an absence is excused:

• Students shall be allowed to complete all assignments and tests missed during the excused absence.
• Satisfactory completion upon a reasonable period of time leads to full credit being given for assignments and tests.
• A student is given that full time to complete missed work. For example, if a student is out for three days, the student will receive three days to complete after being back. If the parent picks up the work on the day of illness, they are still given the full time to complete (not due the next school day). However, teachers are not required to provide homework on the day of an absence. It should be given when the student returns feeling better.