Since the start of the school year, three students have already been referred to the committee that handles truancy cases in the CNMI, but despite the committee\u2019s limited staff, it is working hard to keep the number low.<\/p>\n
According to Bobby L. Coldeen III, coordinator of the School Attendance Review Committee, the three new student referrals are from Marianas High School, Dandan Middle School, and Kagman High School. <\/p>\n
\u201cSARC has accepted these cases and are currently working with these students, their families, and their schools,\u201d he said in his report to the Board of Education on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
SARC was formed in 2014 to serve as an avenue for public schools to provide intervention for juveniles and their families in addressing truancy, irregular attendance, or insubordinate or disorderly behavior in school before referral to the juvenile justice system.<\/p>\n
Total SARC referrals as of Sept. 18, 2017, is 84.<\/p>\n
Past cases of truancy does not end when the school year ends. Coldeen said that SARC has also been monitoring students who were referred last year school year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working\u2026with their school counselors to provide updates on attendance and check-ins with these students. A vast majority is currently reporting to school everyday with the exception of a few,\u201d said Coldeen.<\/p>\n
\u201cSARC is currently investigating, conducting home visits, as well as coordinating new interventions\/strategies for these particular students,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Outreach and support has also been a focus and formula used by SARC to stay effective.<\/p>\n
\u201cSARC has been presenting to school staff and is scheduled to present to more schools this month. The main focus here is to ensure all Public School System staff is familiar with the\u2026committee, the student referral process, and how they can contribute to improving student attendance,\u201d said Coldeen. \u201cI have also been working with school principals.\u201d<\/p>\n
SARC is also working with Colleen Diaz from the Family Enhancement Program to better provide resources to these at-risk students and their families, said Coldeen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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