Everyday Counts:Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

LCAP Aligned Strategies: Aligning Conditions of Learning,Outcomes, and Engagement for All Students

February 23, 2015Riverside County Office of Education

Conference Center

Welcome Message from Kenneth M. Young

February 23, 2015

As the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, I would like to welcome you to the Riverside County’s Every Day Counts: Chronic Absenteeism Conference. Our team, at the Riverside County Office of Education, is delighted to collaborate with the District Attorney’s office, local school districts, our community partners, and, ultimately, with you, in order to focus on increasing student achievement by decreasing school truancy and chronic absenteeism.

Extensive research has clearly established and documented the link between truancy and dropout rates, and between dropout rates and crime. In light of such evidence, one of the most essential factors in improving educational outcomes is bolstering and improving student attendance. Your attendance at this conference demonstrates your commitment to ensure that all students graduate from our high schools well prepared for college and the workforce.

A wide range of presenters will showcase research-based models and ideas aimed at enlightening and empowering your work to provide each student with a quality educational experience. Additionally, there is an outstanding array of breakout sessions purposefully aligned to the state priorities required by the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), and presenters will specifically address school climate, student engagement, and parent involvement priorities.

Reducing chronic absenteeism and ensuring student success starts with strong partnerships among schools, within families, in coordination with governmental agencies, and integrated with community partners. The surest means for closing the academic achievement gap is to address the gap preemptively before it establishes itself.

Thank you for being here today and enjoy the conference. Collectively, we can create a strong foundation for students’ future success in life!

Sincerely,

Kenneth M. YoungRiverside County Superintendent of Schools

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Welcome Message from Michael Hestrin

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Welcome to Riverside County’s second annual student absenteeism conference, Everyday Counts: Reducing Chronic Absenteeism. Today, we join together in order to build upon the work we began last year; sharing best practices to curb student absenteeism in school districts across Riverside. There is great, innovative work being accomplished by schools in our communities; practices that can be shared and replicated. Gatherings like this offer an opportunity to showcase those effective approaches and foster an environment of collaboration between school districts, the Riverside County Office of Education, the District Attorney’s Office, and our community partners.

Indeed, it will take all of us working together to ensure that consistent school attendance becomes a priority for every single family in our county. Failure to act will directly affect the quality of life in Riverside County. According to the Attorney General’s 2013 Report on California’s Elementary School Truancy and Absenteeism Crisis, “California is facing an attendance crisis, with dire consequences for our economy, our safety, and our children.”  This same report highlights what researchers and educators have long recognized, that “[s]tudents who miss school at an early age are more likely to struggle academically, and in later years, drop out entirely.”

Chronic Absenteeism also jeopardizes the educational opportunities of students that do attend school.  For example, Chronic Absenteeism can have a significant negative fiscal impact on school districts’ ability to provide all students with needed academic and support services and resources.  According to the Attorney General Report, in 2010 – 2011, Riverside County school districts lost approximately $112,000,000 due to student absenteeism.  When it comes to juvenile crime, the District Attorney’s Office is committed to strong, ethical prosecution.  But, we are equally invested in early intervention – in order to positively change the lives of minors and their families and help them realize educational success. That is why we so strongly support the work you do, and why we pledge our support.

Very truly yours,

Michael Hestrin, Riverside County District Attorney

Every Day Counts Conference Schedule

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration/ Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Opening and Welcome

● Presentation of Colors - Riverside County Education Academy● Pledge of Allegiance - Students Pedro Soleto, Coachella Valley High School

and Bria Palmer, John W. North High School ● Welcome – Michael Hestrin, Riverside County District Attorney● Welcome – Kenneth M. Young, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools

9:30 a.m. - 9-40 a.m. Student Speaker – Amber Alexander, Corona-Norco Unified School District graduate

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Special Guest Speaker – Jill Habig, Special Assistant Attorney General

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Transition

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Keynote Speaker – Hedy Chang, Director, Attendance Works

10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Transition

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch/Role of Juvenile Justices Courts in Student Attendance Honorable Judge Roger Luebs, Riverside Juvenile Court 1:00 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. General Session - Hedy Chang, Director, Attendance Works

2:40 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. Student Speaker - Desiree Lopez, Arlington Regional Learning Center

2:55 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks - Paul Jessup, Riverside County Deputy Superintendent

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Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions will be offered via Three Strandsaligned to the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)

from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. only

I. School Climate

School Climate and Culture Transformation through the Leader in Me Process and PBIS .......... Landis 1

Dr. Trevor Deitrich, Principal, Corona-Norco Unified School District; Reginald (Reggie) Thompkins, Administrative Director, Instructional Services, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Co-presenters: Mark Pfeiffer, School Psychologist; Anthony (Tony) Phaller, School Psychologist Imagine if everyone in your school building, adults and children alike, were living the 7 Habits of Highly Effective

People. Come see how The Leader in Me process has transformed McKinley Elementary School into a place where students take responsibility, set goals and priorities, think win-win, listen empathically, and work together to achieve greatness. Learn how the 7 Habits have made for a caring learning environment, improved attendance and decreased behavior referrals. In addition, PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) will be tied to Character Development in order to enhance the all-around school climate resulting in increased student achievement.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BW3BWFJ

Creating a College Going Culture and Positively Affecting Student Attendance in the Process ...Landis 2

Ross Godfrey, Principal, Val Verde Unified School District

This presentation will cover how Rancho Verde High School and the Val Verde Unified School District is creating a college going culture through a big A-G push, district wide counselor collaboration, PBIS, AVID, RV Scholars Program, and school procedures. The presentation will show how to look at school and district data for attendance improvement, behavior, and disproportionality. We will discuss the challenges of changing school culture while balancing the new testing and accountability models. Lastly, the topic of school connectedness with both students and parents will be discussed.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F8TDJTX

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Breakout Sessions . . . continued

II. Student Engagement

Building an Effective SARB Process: From Beginning to End ....................................................... Boardroom

Dr. Gary Roughton, Director, Child Welfare and Attendance, Val Verde Unified School District

Co-presenters: Cynthia Lenon, Attendance Specialist; Jennifer Peterson, Attendance Specialist; Philander Steward, Attendance Specialist; Jimm Toth, Attendance Specialist

SARB is much more than just a hearing.  To be effective, SARB is a process that requires diligence, commitment, intervention, documentation and innovation.  Val Verde Unified School District uniquely uses certificated attendance specialist who are experts on identifying the underlying reasons for chronic absenteeism.  The presentation will outline what it takes to create a positive “save rate” and how to document a case for possible district attorney prosecution.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N5MYPKS

Creating and Analyzing Chronic Absentee Data-Tools .............................................................Computer Lab

Dr. Felicia Cruz-Delgado, Ed.D., Corona-Norco Unified School District

Co-presenters: Amanda Ruiz, IT Supervisor; Irene Wu, Database Analyst

“The best way to identify students with poor attendance is to calculate the data that schools are already collecting. In addition to looking at school-wide averages, as most schools do, shift the data to see how many students are missing 10 % of the school year.” The Corona-Norco Unified School District has adopted the above rationale by applying and implementing the District Attendance Tracking Tool (DATT) from Attendance Works. This workshop will walk you through the process of registering from the DATT and how to use the data tool to target Chronic Absentee Rates. A description of actionable strategies will be shared along with tools you can implement at your school site and district.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N6FTZNH

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Breakout Sessions . . . continued

III. Parent Involvement The Community Liaison Team: When They Don’t Come to School...What Can You Do? ....................Cree

Jane Mills, Director in Student Services, Palm Springs Unified School District

This workshop will review a variety of strategies used by the district community liaison team to engage parents in the educational process and to improve attendance. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about safety strategies, connecting families to resources, how to uncover the root reasons for poor attendance and ways to support parents. This will be an interactive session with time to collaborate with other participants on important attendance challenges.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N52ZVRQ

Engaging Families to Support Academics............................................................................................Johnson

Casandra Willis, Parent Culture Coordinator, Corona-Norco Unified School District; Sabrina Kaspar, Assistant Principal, Home Gardens Academy

Come and hear a powerful message on how to implement an effective parent engagement program that will shift the culture of your school and community. This workshop will provide all participants with the tools necessary to implement a strong parent parental involvement program that will provide opportunities to empower parents to become educational leaders in the lives of their children.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NZ55N3Q

IV. Local Control Accountability Plan

Creating a Local Control Accountability Plan to Address Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy ...... Hyatt 1/2 Jill Habig, Special Assistant Attorney General

Jill Habig, Special Assistant Attorney General to California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, will discuss the AG’s elementary school truancy and chronic absence initiative.  Participants will learn about the latest data on truancy and chronic absence in California, the Attorney General’s Sample LCAP, and ways that schools and districts can use attendance data to set attendance improvement goals for all students and at-risk subgroups under the LCFF.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N6FTZNH

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Special Guest Speaker and Keynote Speaker

Jill HabigSpecial Assistant Attorney GeneralCalifornia Department of Justice, Executive Office of Attorney General Kamala D. Harris

Jill Habig is a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Executive Office of California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. As a member of the office’s senior staff, she advises the Attorney General on key legal issues and policy initiatives. Her work emphasizes consumer fraud, health, education, human trafficking, and civil rights, including issues related to gender and LGBT rights. Ms. Habig was previously a Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School and served on the Affirmative Litigation Task Force at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, where she worked on the landmark trial challenging Proposition 8. She has

served as a law clerk for Judge Dorothy Nelson of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Ms. Habig earned her J.D. from Yale Law School and her B.A. from Georgetown University. She served as one of the authors of “In School & On Track” Report.

Hedy Nai-Lin ChangDirectorAttendance Works

Hedy Nai-Lin Chang directs Attendance Works, a national and state level initiative aimed at advancing student success by addressing chronic absence.   A skilled presenter, facilitator, researcher and writer, she co-authored the seminal report, Present, Engaged and Accounted For: The Critical Importance of Addressing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades, as well as numerous other articles about student attendance. Deeply committed to promoting two-generation solutions to achieving a more just and equitable society, Hedy has spent more than two decades working in the fields of family support, family economic success, education and child development. She

served as a senior program officer at the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund and as co-director of California Tomorrow, a nonprofit committed to drawing strength from cultural, linguistic and racial diversity. In February 2013, Hedy was named by the White House as a Champion of Change for her commitment to furthering African American Education. Hedy is also the mother of two school-aged sons who attend public school in San Francisco.

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Presenters and Co-Presenters

Dr. Felicia Cruz-DelgadoCoordinator, Corona-Norco Unified School District

In 1997, Dr. Cruz Delgado was hired by the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) to teach at the elementary school level. She has enjoyed a long and productive career at the CNUSD, including seven years as a teacher and 12 years as an administrator. Serving as Principal at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Dr. Cruz Delgado’s school received recognition as a California Distinguished School (2009). She was also the Principal at Barton Elementary School from 2010 to 2013. She is presently a Coordinator in the Instructional Support Division in CNUSD, as well as the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Officer for the District. Through Dr. Cruz Delgado’s efforts, the CNUSD was recognized as one of four State Model SARB Districts (March 2014). Dr. Cruz-Delgado has adapted the Attendance Works District Attendance Tracking Tool (DATT) to track Chronic Absentee rates by student, grade level, and specific subgroups. She also developed The District At-Risk Tracking Tool (DARTT) to identify all students who are at risk for period absences, full day absences, grades, suspensions, and credits. The DARTT is more comprehensive and is used TK-12. Dr. Cruz-Delgado states that her Instructional Support’s mantra is to, “Re-Engage the Dis-Engaged.”

Dr. Trevor DietrichPrincipal, McKinley Elementary School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Trevor Dietrich is serving in his 17th year in education, and his sixth year as an elementary school principal. He earned his Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction both from Concordia University. He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from La Sierra University. Dr. Dietrich was recently published in the International Journal of Instruction and has become a certified 7 Habits of Highly Effective People trainer. His passion for the Leader in Me process has helped to transform the McKinley Elementary School culture by empowering all students to believe they can be a leader, first of themselves, and then of others. His greatest joy is seeing teachers and students living the 7 Habits in their daily lives and therefore reaching their potential as 21st Century citizens. “All students have something that makes them special…it is our job to figure out what that is, and nurture it.”

Ross GodfreyPrincipal, Rancho Verde High School, Val Verde Unified School District

Mr. Ross Godfrey has been working in public education since 1990. Originally from Philadelphia, he moved to the west coast and graduated from Serra High School in San Diego. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science from San Diego State University and his state teaching credential from Alliant International University. Mr. Godfrey earned a Master of Science Degree from Azusa Pacific University and his Administrative Services Credential from Chapman University. He began his teaching career in San Diego City Schools where he taught a variety of social studies classes and coached multiple sports. After moving to Riverside County in 2001, he took a job as a teacher and coach at Rancho Verde High School. In 2008, Mr. Godfrey left Rancho Verde to take an Assistant Principal position in the Hemet Unified School District. After three years in Hemet, he was fortunate to return to the Val Verde Unified School District as Assistant Principal at Citrus Hill High School. Mr. Godfrey is honored and privileged to serve as Principal of Rancho Verde High School.

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Paul JessupRiverside County Deputy Superintendent of Schools

Paul Jessup is currently the Riverside County Deputy Superintendent of Schools and has served in that capacity since July 1, 2007. Prior to joining the Riverside County Office of Education, Paul was the Superintendent of the Alvord Unified School District where he led the 20,000+ student district since 2003. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Redlands, a California Administrative Services credential, and a California Teaching credential. Jessup is an active member of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce where he has served on its Board of Directors since 2006. He is also past president of the Chamber’s La Sierra Division, Chair of the Business Education Partnership Council, and was recently appointed to the Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sabrina KasparAssistant Principal, Home Gardens Academy, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Sabrina Kaspar is currently the Assistant Principal of Home Gardens Academy in the Corona Norco School District, where she oversees the Parent University Program. In her previous role as a teacher on special assignment, she facilitated workshops for parents as well as presented on how to effectively implement your own parental involvement program. She recently developed a highly effective workshop that empowers parents to become their child’s educational leader. She is currently working on her dissertation which analyzes the benefits of parental engagement as it relates to student success

Cynthia LeonAttendance Specialist, Val Verde Unified School District

Cynthia Leon has 15 years of teaching experience at both the middle school and high school levels. She received her degree from the University of California, San Diego in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and her teaching credential from National University. Ms. Leon is an Attendance Specialist for the Val Verde Unified School District involved in all levels of the SARB process including holding SART meetings, running district SARB conferences, referring families to the County District Attorney’s office, and preparing all the necessary documentation for prosecuting families in court for excessive absences. Additionally, Ms. Leon plays a key role in identifying the specific issues as the cause of absences and finds solutions by offering the proper resources available. She currently teaches the Spanish Parent Project class to district parents, and administers Saturday school each month.

Honorable Judge Roger LuebsRiverside Juvenile Court

Judge Roger Luebs is a 1974 graduate of UCR and 1977 graduate of the UCLA School of Law. Upon graduation he practiced civil law in Riverside. In 1995 he became a prosecutor with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In 2002 he was elected a Judge of the Riverside Superior Court where he currently presides over juvenile delinquency matters. Judge Luebs has served as a member of the Riverside Unified School District Board of Trustees, a Trustee of the UCR Foundation, and on the boards of numerous other civic and charitable organizations.

Presenters and Co-Presenters

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Jane Mills Director, Student Services, Palm Springs Unified School District

Ms. Mills is a graduate of Michigan State University and Chapman College. Her undergraduate degree is in Special Education and her Master’s is in Human Resource Management. In addition to her work as the Director of Student Services for Palm Springs Unified School District, she is the Grant Administrator for the Anderson Children’s Foundation.

Jennifer PetersonAttendance Specialist, Val Verde Unified School District

Jennifer Peterson has been a teacher for 15 years with experience in both elementary and secondary. She holds a Bachelor’s in history from Cal State San Bernardino, with continuing classes in Art History. She also obtained a Master’s from the University of Phoenix in Education. Mrs. Peterson has been an Attendance Specialist for the last five years. Her duties have consisted of SART meetings for all ages, member of the SARB panel, corresponding with assigned sites in all attendance matters, DA mediation, and DA prosecution. Jennifer is also trained in Parent Project, leader in Saturday School, conducts home visits and deals with possible drop outs. Throughout the five years, Mrs. Peterson has helped to formulate a successful SARB program that targets excessive absent students.

Anthony (Tony) Phaller School Psychologist, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Anthony Phaller is in his 12th year as a school psychologist in Corona-Norco Unified School District. He has worked at Vicentia Elementary with the Intensive Intervention program. Duties have also included Wilson Elementary, Ramirez Intermediate, and Preschool. Currently he is working as a Behavior Specialist including duties as a Boy’s Town trainer and PBIS Coach.

Mark PfeifferSchool Psychologist, Norco High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Mark had worked for Corona-Norco Unified School District as a school psychologist since 2004. He has worked in elementary school, middle school, and high school as a psychologist. He is currently the psychologist at Norco High, where he has worked since 2005, and one of the district’s behavior specialist.

Presenters and Co-Presenters

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Dr. Gary RoughtonDr. Gary Roughton, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, Val Verde Unified School District

Dr. Roughton has 29 years of experience in education. Currently, he is Director of Student Services/Child Welfare and Attendance for the Val Verde Unified School District. Dr. Roughton received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California in 2007. Val Verde has a unique approach in dealing with absenteeism and has been a leader in Riverside County in addressing Chronic Absenteeism. Dr. Roughton has two sons and lives with his wife, Linda in Hemet.

Amanda RuizSupervisor, Program Systems, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Amanda Ruiz has worked for Corona-Norco Unified School District since 2000.   Amanda has been with the Information Technology department since 2006.  She is a Supervisor of Program Systems that manages Student Information System, Q.  She deals directly with school site/district personnel to educate, assist and create new projects that will enhance Student/Parent/Teacher/Clerical/Admin overall experience with Q. Amanda has assisted with many custom projects ranging from automating district forms that are generated through the information entered into the SIS, participating with various committees to better our district policies/procedures as well as assisting with custom report creations that give site/district personnel an overall view of their students current status at school.

Philander Steward Attendance Specialist, Val Verde Unified School District

Philander Steward has a masters of cross-cultural education and is currently an attendance specialist at Val Verde Unified School District in Perris, California. He has an extensively diverse background that includes military experience and over 10 years of teaching experience at the middle school level. He was an English Department Chair and worked on the AVID leadership team for several years. During his tenure at the middle school he played a key role in helping the school attain the distinction as an AVID demonstration school and a California Schools to Watch-Taking Center stage site. He served on the GEAR UP Leadership team and helped to launch tutoring programs at the school. Most recently he was certified as a facilitator for Parent Project, Inc.

Reginald (Reggie)Thompkins Administrative Director, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Reggie Thompkins has served as an educator for 22 years. Positions held include: high school PE teacher/head basketball coach, TSA/title 1 coordinator, assistant principal in the San Bernardino City USD, HS assistant principal Riverside USD, HS assistant principal/ HS Principal Rialto USD, HS principal Corona Norco USD and presently administrative director instructional support CNUSD. Current responsibilities include: supervision of the Instructional Support office, Assistant Principal Academy, PBIS implementation, K-12 Counseling, and various professional development duties in collaboration with curriculum and instruction. Student engagement has always been a priority for Reggie, while focusing on building a positive school climate and culture at all sites served. “Our students can feel safe in an environment where they feel connected and have adults advocating above and beyond for their well being.” 

Presenters and Co-Presenters

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Jimm Toth Attendance Specialist, Val Verde Unified School District

Jimm Toth has been an attendance specialist for Val Verde Unified School District for the past three years. Formerly he was an English teacher and the head varsity wrestling coach for 12 years at Ranch Verde High School. Val Verde consists of four teachers, groomed to be attendance specialist that team to track the attendance of 20,000 students. Jimm’s responsibilities include: holding SART meetings, assist with SARB meetings at the district office, supervise monthly Saturday schools, teach The Parent Project, conduct home visits, student consultations and attend district attorney mediations and prosecutions.

Cassandra Willis Coordinator, Family and Support Services, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Cassandra Willis currently serves as the coordinator for Family and Support Services for the Corona-Norco School District. Previously she was the principal of Home Gardens Academy and developed an award winning parental involvement program changed the dynamics of the school community and assisted in raising student achievement. She has presented at numerous workshops on parental involvement within Riverside County and in other states. She has written parent curriculum programs that have been used effectively to engage families at various school sites. Currently, she is working on her doctorate in educational leadership.

Irene Wu Database Analyst, Corona-Norco Unified School District

Irene Wu has been a Database Analyst for over one year in Corona-Norco Unified School District. She received her Master’s degree in Computer Science from University of Southern California. She is responsible for supporting, managing and organizing data in database systems such as Student Information System and Business/HR System. Her duties have also consisted of report development and maintenance.

Presenters and Co-Presenters

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Student Presenters

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Amber Alexander former Corona-Norco Unified School District Student

Amber Alexander completed high school in the Corona Norco Unified School District.  Throughout most of her secondary years, she struggled and was faced with many challenges. It wasn’t until she was placed at an alternative education high school when she was able to change her behavior.  The alternative high school is where she turned her life around.  The school believes in connecting, building relationships, and providing positive supports. Due to the interventions and support systems Amber received, she now has an A.S. and an A.A. She is currently working in the accounting field and looking forward to furthering her education in business and educational fields. She would like to work with high school aged students and open a small business.

Desiree Lopez Arlington Regional Learning Center Student

Desiree Lopez is a 16 year old high school student, who is currently attending Arlington Regional Learning Center.  Originally from Coachella Valley, she was placed in a Riverside group home in May of 2014.  Since coming to Riverside she has excelled in school by getting involved in everything possible. Some examples include: cheerleading, peer-leadership, and becoming the ASB Class President.  This has led to great recognition within her group home and throughout her school. Her new passion is advocating for children in “the system” by teaching them coping skills and motivating them to stay positive.  Scheduled to graduate this summer, Desiree is simply more confident now than ever before.

Bria Palmer J.W. North High School Student Body President

Bria Palmer is the United Student League President at J.W. North High School. She was born in Riverside and attended Hyatt Elementary School before transferring to Moreno Valley Unified for her middle school years. She was encouraged to attend North High School because her father and uncle are both proud Huskie graduates. As a high jumper on the Track and Field Team, she qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation Meet during her sophomore year and the Masters Meet during her junior year. Bria won the Inland Valley League High Jump Championship in 2014. Bria is active in student government and enjoys organizing school wide activities and events that engage all students. She is a member of the Black Student Union and is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. Bria would like to attend a four-year university and pursue a career in law.

Pedro Soleto Foster Youth Student

Pedro Sotelo has been classified as a Foster Youth student in the past and has had issues with attendance and truancy. Through the support of his mother, Maria Rodriguez, Pedro has made a total change in his expectations for school and life. Riverside County Office of Education and Coachella Valley Unified School District provided support through prevention activities such as counseling. Pedro’s truancy issues have been turned around and he is attending school.

Acknowledgements

Planning Committee

Riverside County District Attorney’s OfficeGerry Lopez, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Juvenile Division - GJLOPEZ@RivCoDA.org

Carlos Monagas, Supervising Deputy District Attorney, Juvenile Division - CAMonagas@RivCoDA.orgJasmine Marquez, Paralegal- JAMarquez@RivCoDA.org

Beaumont Unified School DistrictDomenica Bernauer, Director of Student Services - dbernauer@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us

Corona-Norco Unified School DistrictDr. Felicia Cruz-Delgado, Ed.D., Coordinator - fcruz@cnusd.k12.ca.us

Palm Springs Unified School DistrictJane Mills, Director, Student Services - jmills@psusd.us

Val Verde Unified School DistrictDr. Gary Roughton, Director of Child Welfare & Attendance - groughton@valverde.edu

Riverside County Office of EducationDr. Diana Walsh-Reuss, Associate Superintendent – dwalshreuss@rcoe.us

Dr. Susan Levine, Director, Pupil and Administrative Services, Child Welfare and Attendance – slevine@rcoe.usCatherine Belcher, Administrative Assistant - cbelcher@rcoe.us

Our gratitude to our generous sponsors for supporting the Every Day Counts Conference

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Notes

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RCOE PledgeAll students in Riverside County will graduate from high school

well prepared forcollege and the workforce.

www.rcoe.us