Update February 3, 2021

Update: Message to FCUSD Families

February 3, 2021

 

Dear FCUSD Families:  

 

The COVID-19 Dashboard has been updated as of today. Please visit: www.fcusd.org/COVID

Attendance changes and information:

Yesterday, we shared a message with secondary families, that taking attendance has changed. Why are we doing this now? The state requirements for attendance changed when Senate Bill 98 was implemented. Our software for taking attendance was recently upgraded in order to keep pace with the state-mandated requirements. However, these changes created confusion amongst staff and families on how attendance will be taking place on Mondays. Therefore, there will be no student absent reports for Monday, February 1. 

Please note: Changes to attendance taking for elementary will take place on March 1. Families of elementary students will receive communication reminders before that takes place.  

Moving forward, this is what middle and high school families can expect, starting February 8: 

On Mondays, students will continue to follow the distance learning bell schedule for their school and attend one online meeting.  In PowerSchool, families will now see a bell schedule, and teachers will be recording attendance for all classes on Mondays. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  Mondays, while mostly asynchronous, are full learning days which include a morning synchronous check-in with the teacher and student assignments.

One of the major state-mandated changes in tracking attendance is that this year, attendance is measured by student participation and engagement. In order to accomplish this for Monday’s mostly asynchronous schedule, students are expected to complete the assignments or make contact with their teacher. If students do not do either, they will be marked absent.   

FCUSD’s priority continues to be connecting with our students to support their academic, social, and emotional success with a positive school experience. Being present for instruction is key to learning, whether online or in a classroom, and the update to our attendance method will not only improve attendance tracking, it will support stronger student connection. 

We understand that remote instruction poses unique challenges and are deeply committed to helping students overcome as many of these challenges as possible. Together, we can work towards helping your child do well in school every day of the week.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or administrator if you are having any questions or challenges with attendance.