Duke News
March 20-24
Thank you, Duke Families!
Dear Duke Families,
Thank you for your partnership in helping us address our attendance concerns at the Castle. We wanted to provide you with some background information regarding why this is a critical focus area for us. During the 2021-22 school year, 41% of WHS students were chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or greater of the total number of days enrolled during the school year for any reason, regardless of whether the absence was excused or not. In order for us to be at “Level One” for the state, we need to have no more than 15% of students chronically absent. Attendance is factored into accreditation, so there is a concern about whether WHS could be accredited in the future if we continue to be above 15% chronic absenteeism. While we have made great strides to address this concern this year and moving forward, we appreciate your continued support to ensure that our students are in school.
Additionally, we wanted to provide some reminders about the attendance appeal process. Please note that students only need to complete the appeal process at the end of the semester if they have 6 or more unexcused absences per block. Here is a link to the attendance appeal form, which includes the relevant IWCS policy.
Thank you,
Dawn Carroll
WHS Principal
Course Credit/Attendance Update
Did you know? A student who is chronically absent in high school is 7.4X more likely to drop out. If we’re going to reduce the dropout rate, we need to reduce absenteeism. Here at WHS we are committed to ensuring our Dukes are attending school each day and are on the right track to graduate!
Dear Parents,
As we resume normal school operations and begin to move past the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that parents understand the importance of regular, on-time attendance to school. As demonstrated by the recent COVID-19 closures, absences from school have a tremendous impact on student learning and achievement. In an effort to help every student meet with success, we want to take a moment to remind parents of the attendance policies and regulations for Isle of Wight County Schools. It is especially important to note the expectations for student attendance as it relates to student retention and course credit.
High school students may not be granted credit for a course if unexcused absences from class total more than five (5) class periods for a semester course, or more than ten (10) class periods for year-long courses.
The entire policy JED and regulation JED-R may be found on the division's website by clicking: Board → Policy → J. Students → JED and/or JED-R. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school if you have questions or concerns regarding student attendance.
Students with more than five unexcused absences during a semester will need to apply for an attendance appeal with administration.
Attendance & Tardies
Absences:
When a note is not submitted, the absence will be considered unexcused. We accept 5 parent notes per semester. Please submit doctor's notes or other professional notes to excuse a student if the absence is due to an appointment. School personnel will implement the following steps to improve attendance:
· 1-2 continuous unverified/unexcused absences - AUTOMATED CALL home is made
· 3 unverified/unexcused absences - CALL home is made
· 4 unverified/unexcused absences - LETTER is sent home
· 5 unverified/unexcused absences - Attendance Improvement Plan is developed with follow-ups
· 7 unverified/unexcused absences - Attendance Care Team makes TRUANCY REFERRAL and meeting scheduled with administrator
· 10 unverified/unexcused absences - TRUANCY court process initiated
· 12-15 unverified/unexcused absences - family may be referred to Social Services/CARES team
· 15+ unverified/unexcused absences - CHINS disposition/CHINS order filed; other violations may result per court liaison or judge
Tardies: Please provide notes for appointments.
3 Unexcused Tardies = phone call home
6 Unexcused Tardies = 2 days lunch attendance meeting in ISS
9 Unexcused Tardies = 4 days lunch attendance meeting in ISS
Lunch information
During COVID, schools received some flexibility which allowed them to serve free meals to all students. Unfortunately, the universal free meal program funded by the USDA was not extended to the 2022-2023 school year. Therefore, IWCS can’t serve all meals free anymore. Instead, families will do what they did before COVID. Schools will take applications and use family income to qualify kids for free or paid meals.
Virginia is utilizing state funds to increase the reimbursement rate of the reduced-price meal category, effectively eliminating the need to charge $0.40 for these lunches. IWCS has always waived the price of breakfast for reduced-price students. Now, for school year 2022-2023, we will be also waiving the price of the reduced-price lunches. Therefore, any students approved for reduced-price meals will be receiving both breakfast and lunch for free.
IWCS families are encouraged to apply for free meals for 2022-23 using the information on our website at https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/childnutrition Paper applications are available in all IWCS schools and the School Board Office at 820 West Main St., Smithfield.
Additional information can be found on the on the USDA website at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/2022-23-parent-faqs
If you have any questions, or need assistance completing the application, please contact Kevin Criner, Child Nutrition Liaison, at 757-365-1608.
Lunch Menus: Click here for the IWCS lunch menus
Lunch Prepay: Parents are encouraged to prepay for their children's meals. The website www.LunchPrepay.com, enables parents secure credit card payment options. Registration with the K12 Payment Center gives parents access to their student's lunchroom balance and meal history, and offers e-mail notification when the account balance drops below a set limit.
Pickup Patrol (PuP)
WHS uses Pickup Patrol which allows parents to make changes to their children’s dismissal plans without the need for notes, forms, or phone calls. Parents can also write notes to excuse absences through this system. Student drivers WILL NOT be granted necessary early dismissals unless the information is shared by the parent using Pickup Patrol. Please check your inboxes for an email that you should have already received from Pickup Patrol.
About Us
Website: http://whs.iwcs.k12.va.us/
Location: 24 Church Street, Windsor, VA, USA
Phone: (757)242-6172
Twitter: @dukeswhs
