Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

This year, I want to make sure every student misses no more than 9 days of school (or 1 day a month) and I need your help. Regular school attendance has a huge impact on student success and each minute of the school day provides opportunities for learning. When a child doesn't show up for school regularly or shows up late, they miss out on:

1. vital instruction (fundamental reading and math skills) that can make it difficult for them to catch up when they return

2. building a habit of good attendance to carry them throughout their schooling and beyond

3. forming meaningful relationships with peers and staff that can help them feel better about school and themselves.

The entire nation is in the midst of an absenteeism crisis, making good attendance more important than ever to student well-being, achievement and graduation. Improving attendance and engagement takes schools, families, elected leaders and other community partners working together to build regular and trusting communications and to identify and address barriers to being in school. Start building good attendance habits early, so children learn that going to school on time every day is important. Eventually, good attendance will be a valuable skill that will help them succeed in middle and high schools, college, and beyond.

Missing 10%, or more than two days a month, is considered chronically absent. Being chronically absent impacts a child’s learning and established attendance habits that can be hard to break. Both excused and unexcused absences mean missing classroom learning time and students can fall behind in what they are learning.

Kindergartners and 1st graders who miss 10%+ school days are much less likely to learn to read by the end of 3rd grade. By middle school, absenteeism is a major predictor that a student may drop out of high school. Our nation is currently facing a crisis in early literacy: fully two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders are not reading proficiently, national assessments show. The good news is that students can begin to reverse their academic difficulties if they improve their attendance.

You can help make school attendance a priority by:

• establishing regular routines for bedtime, waking up and showing up to school.
• turning off electronics (TVs, phones, tablets/laptops/computers, gaming consoles) at bedtime.
• getting clothes, backpacks, and lunches the night before.
• developing back-up plans for getting your child to school if you're unable. Call on a family member, friend, neighbor or another parent to take your child to school.
• avoiding extended family trips and non-urgent medical appointments when school is in session. If a student accrues 10 consecutive days of unexcused absences, the state of Arizona requires the student be withdrawn.
  
• monitoring your child’s attendance and academics; contact their teacher if you have concerns.
• talking to your child's teacher or the counselor for advice if your child feels anxious about going to school.

To report your child's absence, please call (520-568-7154) or email the front office (PBESrecords@musd20.org) within 24 hours of a child's absence. Be ready to provide the following information:

1. Parent/Guardian Name & Phone Number
2. Student Name
3. Teacher Name
4. Reason for Absence (i.e. Illness, Influenza, Asthma, Dr appointment, etc)

Any unverified absence is an unexcused absence. Reporting an absence does not automatically excuse the absence. Parents may be asked to verify absences in writing. The following reasons are defined by the Arizona Department of Education as excused absences:

1. Verified legal appointment (such as court)
   
2. Religious holiday
   
3. Funeral/death in the family
   
4. Verified illness or hospitalization
   
5. Communicable disease (Flu, Measles, etc.)
   

Per MUSD policy, after three or more absences, Pima Butte will send an attendance letter home notifying parents/guardians of missed days. The intent of these letters is to keep you informed of your child's absences and that their grades may be affected if they are unable to get caught up on missed learning. Attendance letters are sent every month regarding students who have reached the following thresholds: 3, 5, 8, and 10 absences. You can view your child's attendance at any time by logging into your ParentVue account.

• Students must wear a shirt with pants or skirt or the equivalent (dress, leggings, or shorts).
• Clothing must not be see-through and must cover a student’s undergarments, chest and torso when standing or sitting.
• Shoes must be worn at all times - no slides or flip flops without a back strap. Closed shoes are to be worn for any type of physical activity, such as PE.
• Jewelry shall not be worn if it presents a safety hazard.
• Clothing, accessories and/or jewelry may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.
• Students may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.
• Subject to the above, no hats, bandannas, other head coverings, or sunglasses may be worn in a classroom or school building.
• Obscene language/symbols, or symbols of drugs, sex, or alcohol on clothing are prohibited.
• Students may not wear clothing, accessories and/ or jewelry with images, symbols, slogans, words or phrases that are profane, discriminatory or defamatory or that is worn with the intent to convey affiliation with a criminal street gang (as defined in A.R.S. 13-105).
• Hats and sunglasses may be worn outside.

Preschool

Ms. Khaaliq - Avery

Kindergarten

Mrs. Denton - Kumina, Ms. McMurtrey - Karsyn, Mrs. Seamons - Kaya

First Grade

Ms. Basilone - Emilio, Mrs. Fuentes - Alayna, Mr. Pascador - Viviana

Second Grade

Mrs. Graham - Charlotte, Ms. Hamili - Nathan, Ms. Swanno - Arya

Third Grade

Ms. Isenberg - Kimberly, Ms. Palmer - Khaslyn, Ms. Perio - Yaseen

Fourth Grade

Ms. Jacobs - Ryder, Ms. Lee - Leyna, Mrs. Sentell - William

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Ansley - Jaxon, Mrs. Buechner - Anaiah, Mrs. Gomez - Ryleigh

Front Office: 520-568-7150

Attendance: 520-568-7154

Health Office: 520-568-7153

Front Office Email: PBESrecords@musd20.org

42202 W. Rancho El Dorado Parkway, Maricopa AZ 85138