Dear Buckeye Union, 

It has been an eventful week! On Monday, three of our sites opened safely without power (Blue Oak Elementary, Buckeye Elementary, and Camerado Springs Middle School). This allowed for 1100 students to attend school and supported our families who needed to be at work. 

Our schools are the first in El Dorado County to open without power and it was only possible because of the quick planning, ingenuity, and determination of staff, teachers, and administrators. As superintendent, this was a proud moment and demonstrated the commitment of Buckeye Union to the community.

Yesterday, the efforts and actions of our three schools were spotlighted by a visit from the Governor and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Their visit was an opportunity for Buckeye Union to drive home the message that we need funding for generators and other resources in order to be prepared for a situation that PG&E indicates will continue for years to come. Yes, the Governor states this will not be the “new normal”; however, we can’t simply stand idle and presume that folks in Sacramento or PG&E will quickly fix this situation. We need to be prepared to safely operate schools in the event of future power outages, at all sites, or face a real potential that school may be unexpectedly interrupted several times a year. 

As a result, we will remain engaged with the State Superintendent regarding the need for funding to offset costs in order to operate schools when the power is out. Additionally, our District Office administrators and site principals are beginning the process of reviewing the unique set of needs that each site will have if we are to operate safely without power in the future. 

Buckeye Union is filled with employees and community that have a can do  spirit. This week we did it!

David Roth, Ph.D.

Superintendent

Dear Families, 

Over the past year, the State Department of Education has begun to implement new accountability requirements, which require schools to improve attendance rates in public schools. The District would like to draw your attention to these new requirements as well as address some common questions about attendance accounting in the public schools. 

 First, the issue of attendance is most important for the reason that students who regularly attend school are more likely to experience social and academic success. We want all children to reach their potential, and positive attendance is key. 

 Attendance is also important because it is the average daily attendance of students that drives the State’s funding formula for our schools. The more often students attend, the more funding your school receives. The State provides approximately $50 each day a student is in attendance. The State does not fund our schools for a student who is absent, even when that absence is excused. Improving the District’s Average Daily Attendance rate by just 1% would generate an additional $400,000 plus per year. 

 Additionally, the State has now begun to track the percent of students who are absent 10% or more of the days they are in attendance. Students who are absent 10% or more are considered to be chronically absent. When rates of chronic absenteeism are too high, the State requires Districts to use resources to address the issue. Over the past year, all schools in Buckeye Union have been focusing efforts on decreasing chronic absenteeism. 

 What can parents do? 

1.  If your student is sick, keep them home. 

2. If your child has a doctor, dentist, etc. appointment, then bring them to school either before or after the appointment, so that your child can be counted as having been in attendance. Simply stopping by the school and checking in immediately before or after the appointment for just a minute or two will allow the school to report your child as present and to obtain funding. We are fully funded for partial days.

3. Schedule vacations on days that do not occur during the school year calendar. 

4. If you are removing your student from school for 5 or more days, then speak with the principal about creating an independent study contract. The State will fund us for the student’s absences if a contract is completed. 

5. If you have the means, consider donating $50 per day to the District for each absence, particularly for those absences that are avoidable (e.g., vacations). 

6. Remember, we are not funded for excused absences. Encourage positive attendance with your child. 

7. If you would like support with a child who is reluctant to come to school, please contact the site principal in order to discuss how we may support you and your student. 

 Thank you for working with your school(s) to make certain your student(s) have positive attendance and are fully accessing the benefits of their education. 

Sincerely, 

David Roth, Ph.D.

Superintendent