CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified School District’s School Attendance Review Board (SARB) has been honored as a Model SARB for initiatives and practices that significantly contribute to reducing chronic absenteeism rates and improving overall student attendance.

Hacienda La Puente Unified is one of 23 districts recognized by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and State SARB for demonstrating outstanding efforts to decrease reliance on conventional attendance incentives, such as suspensions and expulsions, by placing a focus on prevention and positive measures.

HLPUSD’s achievements were celebrated at the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance (CASCWA) State Conference on April 26 in Monterey, where the District formally accepted the award.

“We are overjoyed to be recognized for the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” Dr. Karen Dabney-Lieras, Executive Director of Family Services and SARB Chairperson said. “Addressing the root causes of absenteeism and nurturing the individual needs of students and their families is essential. Supports we offer throughout the SARB process ensure that our students are present, ready to learn and on a path to success.”

The Model SARB Recognition Program is a multi-tiered framework consisting of early intervention, professional development and added staff, and family engagement and school connectedness. Hacienda La Puente Unified aims to foster a District-wide culture of attendance and create welcoming, engaging school environments that motivate students to come to school daily through these models. All Hacienda La Puente campuses additionally host annual activities recognizing students for exemplary attendance.

“Our collective efforts to make learning an enjoyable and engaging experience for students, whether it be the vast college and career offerings or social-emotional resources, has a significant impact on their attendance and academic achievement,” Board of Education President Christine H. Salazar said. “We are committed to innovative and compassionate approaches that pave the way for a brighter future for all our students.”

The District meets the needs of students at the academic and social-emotional level, particularly through an array of tutoring, counseling, and college and career services that ensure students feel valued and connected to their school community. Efforts towards positive intervention improve attendance rates and greatly contribute to the District’s high graduation rates.

“At Hacienda La Puente, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and regular school attendance is a crucial part of that success,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “This recognition affirms our efforts toward fostering strong connections between students, families, and educators. We are honored and remain steadfast in our commitment to our students’ well-being and academic progress.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_SARB1: Hacienda La Puente Unified Executive Director of Family Services and SARB Chair Dr. Karen Dabney-Lieras (left) and Student and Family Services Counselor and SARB Co-Chair Vanessa Ortiz (right) accept the Model SARB award at the CASCWA State Conference on April 26.

HLPUSD_SARB2: Hacienda La Puente Unified’s Workman Elementary School celebrates Attendance Awareness Month by creating poster boards to highlight the importance of showing up to school during an awareness campaign held in Sept. 2023.