Hayward, March 26, 2010 – Sheila Jordan, Superintendent of Alameda County Schools, congratulates the San Lorenzo Unified School District for being honored and recognized by the State Model SARB Recognition Program for outstanding results-based school attendance improvement. The program provides comprehensive services to high-risk youth with school attendance or school behavior problems.

 

“Chronic school truancy is a powerful predictor of both delinquency and poor economic academic achievement, and is a serious challenge to address in our communities. ACOE initiated the SARB process for Alameda County in 2000 by establishing partnerships with the DA’s office and school districts to identify root causes of truancy and improve educational, social and economic outcomes for students. We continue the process as the lead agency through ongoing training and support” said Sheila Jordan, Superintendent of Alameda County Schools. “We are proud of the San Lorenzo SARB program which models a proactive, interdependent systems approach, involving school, home and community.”

 

State Superintendent Jack O'Connell made the following comment about model SARBs: "I am delighted to recognize educators and community members who are collaborating to ensure the educational success of our students at risk of dropping out. The dedicated members of these school attendance review boards (SARBs) are working together to garner the support many students need to attend school regularly and prepare for their futures. With fewer attendance supervisors, school nurses, counselors, school social workers, teachers, and administrators, school officials are combining their expertise and resources with members of the community to diagnose school attendance problems and recommend solutions. Their collaborative efforts with parents, law enforcement, county social workers, and community-based youth service workers bring back students on the margins of the educational system and guide them to school achievement."
 
In selecting the San Lorenzo Unified School District SARB as a model, the State SARB looked for excellence in specific content areas, including chairperson leadership; prevention, early identification, and interventions; collaboration; inventory of community resources; goals and objectives; program design and organizational structure; measuring and reporting outcomes; and interpersonal communication.

 

The San Lorenzo Unified School District was found exemplary in all these areas and will retain its title as a model dropout prevention program through the 2011-12 school year to serve as a mentor for other SARBs seeking to improve their programs.

 

“We are very fortunate to be able to tap into community assets and shared partnerships with the Alameda County Schools Office, Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, the Sherriff’s and Probation Departments, and the Eden Counseling agencies.” said Dr. Dennis D. Byas Superintendent, San Lorenzo Unified School District. “We firmly believe that strong SARB’s show some of the true value that communities place on education by supporting kids regular attendance in schools and becoming educationally successful. Each of the above agencies share in the common goal of bettering society by working collaboratively to keep kids in schools working towards a productive result of high school graduation and going further with their education.”

 

Other districts interested in learning more about this program should contact Linda Freccero, SARB Chairperon, San Lorenzo USD, 510.317- 4763