Boyle Heights teen back on track and back in class at Garfield High

Yordi’s mother Leydi Luna said Yordi struggled to transition from middle school to Mendez High School, the teen’s home campus. He moved to Garfield, yet attendance was still a problem: Yordi racked up two months' worth of absences freshman year, according to Leydi.

When the district’s iAttend campaign launched in August, Garfield attendance counselor Sonia Thong advised Leydi that Yordi might benefit from a visit from L.A. Unified’s Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. The campaign is part of an ongoing effort to get students with 14 or more absences in a school year back to school.

In addition to affecting students' academic performance, attendance determines school funding.

Carvalho visited with Yordi and connected with the teen through music and playing football. The superintendent encouraged him to attend class and promised he would monitor Yordi’s progress and would look him up during a future visit to campus.

Yordi, who played football at Garfield this school year, met with Carvalho before the second game of the season. 

“I was surprised he actually followed up with me,” Yordi said. “I know he’s busy and stuff…That has to show you care at least a little bit.”

The visit appears to have inspired Yordi, and Thong closely monitors his attendance and academic performance, Leydi said. The three meet regularly or have phone conferences to talk about the teen’s progress.

Yordi has missed school only twice so far this year due to illness. He said his outlook on attendance is different from what it was freshman year. 

“I never really thought it mattered that much that I go to school,” he said. “I feel like my mindset about school is a lot different.”