Gustine Unified School District's rate of chronic absenteeism within the past couple of years could be cited towards students’ mental health, according to multiple survey data.

The data includes multiple surveys about students and parents about reasoning to not attend classes and difficulties at home. District staff members Jacob Fontes and Mario Madrigal did the findings and presented it during last Wednesday’s board of trustees meeting.

Fontes began the discussion by mentioning that out of all the students who met with a mental health clinician, 42% of them were considered chronically absent. Additionally, the district recorded 24% chronic absenteeism from district students who were chronically absent for at least 10% or more instructional days last year. This was an improvement from 2023 that recorded nearly 30% of students chronically absent.

Merced County recorded nearly 21% of chronic absenteeism in the 2023-24 school year, according to a report from the county’s office of education. 

When looking at causes linked between mental health and attendance, Fontes said the matter was connected to three issues: personal health, behavioral and traumatic/stressful events at home or school. He added that some of the students’ mental health were affected by them dealing with a physical illness. Regarding behavior, Fontes mentioned that students have come to school exhibiting anxiety or behavior from internal stress.

“I think it’s important to realize that behaviors are a symptom and not a cause of the issue. [The] behaviors of our students are not the cause of their attendance or the stress they’re facing,” he said. “The behaviors are just what we’re seeing in terms of the symptoms that they’re experiencing inside, at home or from school.”

Another survey done consisted of asking more than 50 K-12 students on why they are absent or late to school. Students were allowed to have more than one response on their reasoning.

Out of all the responses, nearly 53% of students said that they have a hard time getting up for school, 42% mentioned they were sick, close to 12% revealed that they didn’t have transportation and around 12% said they had to take care of their younger sibling.

In a survey that asked 24 parents about whether they know someone to talk to if they have any trouble getting their child to attend school, nearly 42% said no, another close 42% mentioned that they do have trouble and nearly 17% said maybe.

Additionally, parents received another survey that asked about the challenges they’ve dealt with to help their children’s attendance. Some of the popular responses included were work, defiance, technology and making attendance a priority.

To help combat the issue for parents, the district introduced a program called, “Parent University.” Taught by GUSD’s staff and mental health clinicians, the program revolves around some topics, including effective communication skills with a child and suicide prevention. Parents have responded well to the courses, Madrigal said.

To encourage attendance, students are incentivized with donut parties and five minutes early. The incentives have shown the district encouraging results as Gustine Elementary and Romero Elementary have not seen decline in attendance so far this school year, Madrigal said.

“Hopefully next year, this can continue and we can provide more driven incentives,” he said.