Subject: Showing Up Matters — Partnering for Student Success
Dear Trojan Families,
As we recently reviewed our quarter data, our teachers spent time analyzing grades, attendance patterns, and overall student progress across departments. I want to share what we are seeing and, more importantly, how we can continue working together to support every Trojan’s success.
One message is clear: students who attend regularly and complete their assignments are overwhelmingly successful. The majority of failing grades are not due to lack of ability — they are connected to missed class time and missing work.
In many cases, students demonstrate that they understand the material on quizzes and tests. However, when assignments are incomplete or classes are missed, it becomes very difficult to maintain passing grades.
Attendance is about much more than being counted present. When students miss school, they miss:
• Direct instruction from their teacher
• Guided practice and modeling
• Classroom discussion and collaboration
• Clarification of difficult concepts
• The opportunity to ask questions in real time
Even with make-up work available, it is challenging to fully recover lost learning — especially in courses like math, science, and world language, where skills build day after day.
Our data consistently shows:
• Chronic absences strongly correlate with D’s and F’s.
• Students who miss multiple days often fall behind in assignments.
• Missing work — not inability — is the primary driver of many failing grades.
• Students who attend consistently are far more likely to grow academically and pass their classes.
Simply put: Attendance protects learning.
I also want you to know that our teachers are working hard to support students. They are:
• Providing structured instruction and guided support.
• Offering tutoring and extra help.
• Allowing reassessments when appropriate.
• Communicating about missing work.
• Monitoring progress and providing intervention.
However, even the strongest support systems only work when students are present and engaged. Families play a powerful role in this partnership.
You can support your student by:
• Prioritizing daily attendance whenever possible.
• Scheduling appointments outside of school hours when feasible.
• Monitoring grades and missing assignments regularly.
• Encouraging timely completion of work.
• Reaching out early if challenges arise.
If your child is struggling with attendance, motivation, or coursework, please contact us. We are here to help and want to intervene early — before small gaps turn into larger obstacles.
At Yucca Valley High School, we hold high expectations because we believe in our students. Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, graduation readiness, and future opportunity. When students show up consistently, they give themselves the best chance to succeed.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for supporting our Trojans every day.
With appreciation,
Nick Aguilera
Asst. Principal, Yucca Valley High School
naguilera@morongousd.org
Stay tuned all month long as we share learning snapshots from our students!
