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BUSD Community Connections
January 2026
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Our monthly newsletter is a great way to learn about the latest news at Berryessa Union School District. Follow us on Facebook and X for daily updates and visit our website for calendar and meeting information.
For translation assistance, please call one of our District hotlines below:
Mandarin, 408-923-1901
Spanish, 408-923-1902
Vietnamese, 408-923-1903
請利用校區熱線電話
408-923-1901
會有人與您聯繫,為您翻譯資料上的重要內容
Si desea más información en español, por favor llame a la línea de asistencia en español al 1-408-923-1902 y alguien le llamará para darle un resumen de este documento.
Xin gọi số hotline của khu học tại 1-408-923-1903 và sẽ có người giúp quí vị để hiểu những điều cốt yếu của văn kiện.
| | Message from the Superintendent | | |
Dear Berryessa Community,
January always brings a sense of new beginnings. It is a time to reflect, refocus, and look ahead with hope, and this past week across our schools, that feeling was everywhere. I saw students stepping into new opportunities, using their voices with confidence, exploring the arts, competing with confidence, and challenging themselves in ways that demonstrate real growth.
As we begin this new year, I also want to take a moment to focus on something that has a meaningful impact on every child’s success: school attendance.
Attendance is sometimes misunderstood. It is not only unexcused absences that matter, and it is important at every grade level, including the early years. Missing too much school for any reason can affect learning, relationships, and long-term success. When students are present, they gain the academic skills, confidence, and connections they need to reach their goals. Your support truly makes a difference.
Attendance also affects our district as a whole. In California, school funding is closely tied to daily attendance. When students are in school, it helps sustain the programs, staff, and resources that support learning for all. Our teachers and staff are here to help, and we encourage you to reach out if you need support with attendance.
Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. Thank you for your continued commitment to our school community.
With BUSD pride,
Dr. Roxane Fuentes
Superintendent
| | What Is Chronic Absenteeism? | | |
Chronic absenteeism means a student has missed 10 percent or more of the school year, or about two days each month. This level of absence is a strong warning sign that a child may be falling behind in learning.
Research shows that students who are chronically absent in preschool and kindergarten are far less likely to read and count proficiently by the end of third grade. Ongoing absences are also linked to lower engagement in school, challenges with social-emotional development, and weaker executive functioning skills such as focus and self-regulation. Just as important, attendance patterns established early often continue as students grow older.
Watch this video about being an Attendance Hero:
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Make attendance a priority. Talk with your child about why coming to school every day matters and set the expectation that school is important, even on days that feel difficult.
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Create strong routines. Consistent bedtimes, morning schedules, and preparing clothes and backpacks the night before make school days smoother and reduce last-minute absences.
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Schedule appointments wisely. Whenever possible, plan medical and other appointments outside of school hours to limit missed instructional time.
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Communicate with your school. Stay in touch with teachers and school staff if your child is struggling, feeling anxious, or facing challenges that affect attendance. Schools can often provide support and solutions.
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Keep children healthy and engaged. Encourage good sleep, nutrition, and positive conversations about school. Feeling well and connected helps students want to attend regularly.
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On a school morning, Mateo sat quietly at the kitchen table, barely touching his breakfast. When it was time to grab his backpack, he looked up and said, “My tummy hurts. I don’t think I can go to school today.”
His stomach didn’t hurt the night before. It didn’t hurt on the weekend. But lately, mornings had been hard. Mateo worried about keeping up in class and felt nervous about speaking in front of others. Missing school felt easier than facing those feelings.
For many children, anxiety does not show up as words like “I’m worried” or “I’m stressed.” Instead, it can look like frequent headaches, stomach aches, tears, irritability, or a sudden desire to stay home. These are important warning signs that a child may be dealing with something they cannot yet explain.
When adults notice these patterns and respond with care, questions, and support, it can make a lasting difference. Talking with your child and reaching out to the school for help can turn a hard morning into a moment of connection and reassurance. No child should face their worries alone, and support is always available.
Our school district partners with Care Solace, a free service that provides 24/7 support for students, staff, and families to find mental health and substance use providers. Students, staff, and their families can access this service through a dedicated online portal or by calling a 24/7 concierge line for help navigating and connecting with local, in-network counselors and programs.
| Attendance Impacts to BUSD Budget | | |
In California, school funding is directly tied to student attendance through Average Daily Attendance. This means that each day a student is present helps support classroom programs, staff, and essential services.
When students are absent, funding is reduced. Each year, BUSD loses significant resources due to absenteeism, limiting our ability to provide the strongest possible learning environment for all students. Improving attendance benefits every child and helps ensure our schools have the resources they need to succeed.
| | Follow BUSD on Instagram! | | |
Berryessa Unified School District is on Instagram!
Please take a moment to follow us at @berryessa_usd.
Join us as we showcase the great things happening in BUSD.
| | Watch our Board Meetings Via Livestream | | |
Our next Board meeting will be on January 14, 2026.
To better serve you, board meetings are now being live streamed! You can stay informed and watch these meetings from the comfort of your home.
Please note that to participate in the meeting or make comments, you must attend in person.
For more information about the BUSD Board Meetings, please click here.
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