Pomona Unified School District to Launch Attendance Recovery Program

October 26, 2011 | Filed under: Community and National News | Posted by: Admin

Pomona, CA – In an effort to provide students the opportunity to recover instructional time, the Pomona Unified School District will be implementing an Academic Attendance Recovery Coordinated Program (AARC) during the 2011-2012 school year. Kicking off at various school sites on Saturday, October 29, the program is projected to recover $1 million for the district – 50 percent of which will be going to back to the school sites.

The AARC program has a dual purpose of providing a broad spectrum of instructional programs for students with all-day absences (excused and unexcused) while recovering their lost Average Daily Attendance (ADA) revenues through a four-hour Saturday/Sunday instructional program, including a short nutrition break. The AARC program is self-funded through recaptured ADA.

“This program is great—it benefits everyone,” said School Board Member Dr. Roberta Perlman. “Primarily, students recover lost instructional time, but the district also recovers lost ADA revenues, and district employees have an opportunity to supplement their incomes.”

The AARC sessions will include instruction and enrichment in language arts, mathematics, and other required subject areas. High school students will also have the option to review and prepare for the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). In addition, students attending an AARC session will be eligible to recover an absence that may be applied towards perfect attendance status.

The Saturday morning sessions will be conducted on specific dates, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Schools participating in the first session include Alcott Elementary, Arroyo Elementary, Kellogg Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Pantera Elementary, San Jose Elementary, Vejar Elementary, Westmont Elementary, Simons Middle School, Palomares Academy of Health Sciences, Diamond Ranch High School, Ganesha High School and Park West High School.

“We urge parents to take advantage of this opportunity and have their children attend,” said Richard Martinez, superintendent of PUSD. “With parent support, we can further instill in our students the value of an education and a sense of responsibility.”