Cambrian Superintendent Update
September 4th, 2024
Dear Cambrian Families,
September is National Attendance Awareness Month
Did you know?
Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
Missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read.
Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.
Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.
By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
Missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success.
What You Can Do
Make daily school attendance a family priority.
Help your students maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up - Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session.
Track absences so you are aware of how much school has been missed.
If your student seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors or your principal for advice on how to help your student feel comfortable and excited about learning. (https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/handouts-for-families-2/)
What About Illness?
Usually, your child may return to school when they
Are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications,
Have no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours,
Have other symptoms that are improving, and
Can meaningfully and comfortably participate in school. (https://www.cdc.gov/orr/school-preparedness/infection-prevention/when-sick.html)
If you are concerned that your student may have a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider for advice.
If your student must stay home due to illness please contact the school’s attendance line.
Bagby- 408-377-3882 Ext. 2103
Fammatre- 408-377-5480 Ext. 3102
Farnham- 408-377-3321 Ext. 4102
Price Middle- 408-377-2532 Press 1
Sartorette- 408-264-4380 Ext. 6102
Steindorf- 408-377-3022 Ext. 3022
Please connect with your school's administration and staff if or when your student is facing challenges that might impact their attendance. We are here to support and work collaboratively to find solutions.
Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Together, let’s celebrate our students’ potential and ensure that September Attendance Awareness Month sets a positive tone for the entire school year ahead.
Sincerely,
Kristi Schwiebert
Superintendent
Cambrian School District
Free Meals!
Cambrian School District is pleased to offer all students complimentary breakfast and lunch meals. Meals will be available for pickup in the cafeteria during scheduled meal periods. Please consider taking advantage of our FREE school meals by clicking here and signing up. It extends your grocery budget, saves time planning and preparing meals, and is comforting and familiar for kids to have school meals. In addition, every meal served is reimbursed by the USDA and funds go toward Child Nutrition staff wages. Please note that you are not taking food away from someone who needs it more – we have plenty to go around!
FREE School & Hygiene Supplies
Backpacks, binders, notebooks and various school and hygiene supplies are available at no cost for students and families in need. Please stop by our district office, or check in at your student’s school to learn more.
Digital Vaccine Record
The California Public Health Department has a Digital Vaccine Record that parents and families can access to provide to schools.
To view this resource, visit: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
Technology
Attention, Media Use, and Children
Next School Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Cambrian School Board will be held tomorrow—Thursday, September 5, 2024— at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in person at the Professional Development Center located at 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose, CA 95124 in Building 7, and can be viewed online as well. Agenda and login information will be available the week of the September 5 meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
NorthWest Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
Community Advisory Committees (CACs) to increase community involvement in the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). CACs serve in an advisory capacity in the development and review of the SELPA Local Plan, annual priorities, parent training and education, and other special education-related activities.
CACs are composed mainly of parents, and may include educators, pupils and adults with disabilities, representatives of public and private agencies, and persons concerned with the needs of individuals with disabilities. We are seeking parents to represent Cambrian on this committee. If you are interested please fill out this form. NW SELPA CAC Interest Form. CAC Website
Back to School Tips for Families
Check-in each day: Consider asking your student:
- What are 3 things that went well today?
- What was the hardest thing you did today?
- Who did you play with today?
Wellness Focus
As we begin the new school year, prioritizing wellness offers a perfect opportunity to focus on self-care, healthy habits, and a positive mindset.
Here are some ways to enhance your well-being:
Prioritize self-care: Carve out time for activities that bring joy and help you recharge. Whether it's a hobby, mindfulness practice, or relaxation, self-care is vital for a balanced life.
Focus on physical health: Incorporate regular exercise, nutritious foods, and good hydration into your routine. Small changes can significantly improve your overall health.
Nurture your mental health: Practice self-compassion and seek support from loved ones. Engage in activities promoting mental clarity and emotional well-being, such as mindfulness or meditation.
Foster positive relationships: Connect meaningfully with supportive people who uplift and encourage you. Strong social connections enhance well-being and create a sense of belonging.
Embrace holistic wellness: Explore different dimensions of wellness—emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Strive for balance and find what works best in each