The Importance of Attendance
In order to foster a sense of responsibility, it is the goal of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District to encourage students to come to school each day on time, and to take full advantage of all educational opportunities. The District believes that regular, on time, school attendance is crucial to a child's success in school, both educationally and socially.

The law states that unless a student attends school the school cannot receive ADA (Average Daily Attendance). ADA is $40.00 per day per student. This means that if a student is ill, or has a Doctor appointment, money is not received for the student. We certainly do not encourage you to send your child to school when they are ill, but we do ask that you try to schedule Doctor appointments so that your child will attend at least part of the school day. The school does receive funds for partial day attendance.

Excused Absences -
Valid reasons for a child's absence from school include (Ed. Code Section 48205):
Illness, including medical and dental appointments
Court appearance
Funeral of an immediate family member
Religious Holiday

If your child is absent, it is required that you call the school off ice or write a note stating the reason for the absence.

Testing
Beginning in March, students in grades 2-11 will participate in the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.

We have developed multiple measures that we will be used as a way of evaluating student achievement. more>

Report Cards & Parent/Guardian Conferences
First to fifth grade students receive four report cards during the school year. Kindergartners receive three report cards. There are two scheduled parent teacher conferences during the year. However, if a parent, teacher, or student feels a conference is needed, time will be set aside through the year. To contact a teacher for an appointment, please call the school office at 935-6070 or drop a note to your child's teacher.

Report cards are an indication of your child's progress. A student in grades four and five receive letter grades. The standards upon which these grades are based follow district policy, which will be explained to you by your child's teacher at Back to School Night in September.

Tardy Policy
Kindergarten through fifth grade students are considered tardy if they arrive after 8:15 a.m. If a student arrives to school before 8:45 am, please report directly to class and the teacher will mark you tardy. If a student arrives after 8:45 am, you must come to the office with a note signed by a parent/guardian, explaining the reason for late arrival. If you do not have a note, a parent or guardian must come in to the office and sign you in. You will receive an Admit Slip to give to your teacher. Please make every attempt to be at school on time!

Truancy
A child is considered truant if s/he is: absent from school without a valid excuse three full days in one school year, tardy three times for more than 30 minutes without a valid excuse in one school year, or any combination thereof
(Ed. Code Section 48260).

Check In/Out Policy
Students may not leave the school grounds before dismissal unless signed out by a parent/guardian. Students who return to school during the day must sign in. Students must be signed in and out in the school off ice by a parent. Your child can be released only to those adults who you have authorized on the Emergency card.

Family Vacations
We do understand that family time is important, but if vacations can be arranged during school holidays, both your child and the school will benefit. You do have the option of requesting an Independent Study Contract if you plan on keeping your child out of school for 5 or more consecutive days. Requests for these contracts can be made through the school off ice or your classroom teacher at least seven days before the planned absence.

Children in SVUSD attend school 180 days per year. That is only 69% of the typical 260-day adult work year. While the District supports quality family time, it also discourages family vacations taken during the 180 -days of school.

School Lunches, Breakfasts, and Snacks
Nutritious hot breakfasts and lunches are available for your child at school. Menus are sent home monthly. School meals are to be paid in advance in the mornings before school in the cafeteria. Children may pay for meals weekly or daily.
Lunch Prices:
Full Price: $2.00 Daily (Buy 10 lunches for $20, get 1 free)
Reduced Price: .40 daily, $2.00 weekly
Adult Lunch or Salad: $2.50
Breakfast Price: Full Price $1.00 (Buy 10 breakfasts for $10, get 1 free)
Reduced Price: .30 daily $1.50 weekly
Adult Breakfast: $1.25