THE Board of Education’s School Attendance Review Committee will visit schools to discuss truancy with students and provide outreach and support when needed.
In his report to the BOE, SARC Coordinator Robert L. Coldeen III said the first meeting will take place at San Vicente Elementary School, Thursday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m.
The decision was made during a meeting on Jan. 19, Coldeen said. The other SARC members are Sylvio Ada, Julian Camacho, Therese Manglona, Nora Fujihira, Anthony Tomokane and Frances Ulloa.
Coldeen said as of last week, there were 38 referrals for students who were either considered truant or chronically absent from class. Two weeks ago, SARC received three other referrals for students who had not yet registered for the school year. As of last week, the number of unregistered students was four.
Coldeen said the committee continues to ask schools to refer students if they need help in locating the students/families, especially those with truancy issues.
He said they are also conducting wellness checks, and verifying if the students are registered or not.
In addition, he said SARC is working with the Division of Youth Services to provide transportation vouchers from the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority for those who need transportation help.
This year, Coldeen said most of the referrals the committee has received are for students who are not logging in for their online courses or have a habit of leaving their classes early, not submitting assignments, and/or not showing up for their scheduled face-to-face sessions.
He said committee members have also agreed to invite BOE members to SARC’s monthly meeting.
