Child Welfare, Attendance & Safety

At Tulare City School District, your child’s safety and well-being are our top priority. We are committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment that promotes positive attendance, emotional wellness, and preparedness in any situation.

Attendance Matters

Consistent attendance is essential for student success. If your child must be absent:

Please notify your school office as early as possible.
For extended absences, you may request an independent study contract.
Schools may follow up if absences become excessive or unexcused, in accordance with district policy.

For more support, contact our Child Welfare, Safety & Attendance Office at (559) 687-3138.

Everyday Safety Measures

To ensure the safety of every student on our campuses, TCSD follows these key procedures:

Closed Campus Policy: All visitors must check in through the front office.
Emergency Contact Information: Parents are required to keep ParentSquare contact details up to date.
Transportation Safety: We maintain structured arrival/dismissal routines and review bus safety procedures with students.
Traffic Awareness: We ask families to use designated crosswalks and follow all drop-off/pick-up instructions to ensure pedestrian safety.
Student Support: Staff members are trained in youth mental health and mandated reporting protocols.

Emergency Protocols & Communication

In the event of an emergency at your child’s school, TCSD has a clear and rapid response communication plan.

Parents/guardians will receive updates through:

Automated phone calls, text messages, and/or notifications via our ParentSquare communication system
District website alerts
Official TCSD social media channels

What to Expect:

Communication will continue as information becomes available from school officials or first responders.
Please do not call or go to the school unless instructed—it may delay emergency operations.

Helpful Safety Tips for Families

To help keep students safe during arrival, dismissal, and while traveling to and from school, we encourage parents and guardians to:

Ensure emergency contact information is up to date in AERIES
Talk with your child about stranger safety and who to contact in an emergency
Help your child learn and memorize full name, address, and phone number
Review bicycle safety rules and ensure children wear helmets (required by law for riders under 18)
- Only students in grades 4–8 are permitted to ride bikes to school
Use designated parking and drop-off zones during pickup and drop-off
Always use marked crosswalks and encourage children to do the same

Child Welfare & Attendance Staff

Please note: If your child’s absences or tardies become excessive, a member of our attendance team may conduct a home visit to offer support, discuss potential challenges, and work together on a plan to improve attendance.

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources	Director of Child Welfare, Attendance & Safety	Safety Supervisor	Child Welfare, Attendance & Safety Secretary
Tara Houston [email protected] (559) 685-7227	Joel Robertson [email protected] (559) 685-7222	Stephanie Sparkman [email protected] (559) 687-1672	Maria Cortes [email protected] (559) 687-3138

Child Welfare & Attendance Manager	Child Welfare & Attendance Liaison	Child Welfare & Attendance Liaison	Child Welfare & Attendance Liaison
Stephanie Mendonca [email protected] (559) 685-7222	Rose Light [email protected] (559) 685-7390	Cindy Burleson [email protected] (559) 685-7390	Marisol Adame [email protected] (559) 685-7390

Attendance Policies

Student Safety Resources