Previous Story
SARC gets 3 student referrals
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’s limited staff, it is working hard to keep the number low.
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.
“SARC has accepted these cases and are currently working with these students, their families, and their schools,” he said in his report to the Board of Education on Wednesday.
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.
Total SARC referrals as of Sept. 18, 2017, is 84.
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.
“We are working…with 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,” said Coldeen.
“SARC is currently investigating, conducting home visits, as well as coordinating new interventions/strategies for these particular students,” he added.
Outreach and support has also been a focus and formula used by SARC to stay effective.
“SARC 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…committee, the student referral process, and how they can contribute to improving student attendance,” said Coldeen. “I have also been working with school principals.”
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.
