WCSB_Calendar&Handbook_2016-17

STUDENT CONDUCT (JFC)

with the requirements of the compulsory attendance laws. Where the complaint arises out of the parent’s failure to comply with the requirements of §22.1-258, the division attendance officer shall document the school division’s compliance with this Code section. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of any attendance officer or the division superintendent to seek immediate compliance with the compulsory school attendance laws. Students are responsible for being in school and class on time. A positive attitude toward school attendance will enable students to: • define their goals and reach their fullest potential • take full advantage of the American free public education system

• obtain credit for courses necessary to complete a high school diploma • take full advantage of both classroom and extra-curricular activities • develop the habit of consistent attendance necessary to be successful in the world of work • accept responsibility for their attendance Parents are responsible for promoting a positive school attendance attitude by:

• ensuring their child(ren) attend school for the same number of days and hours that school is in session unless such attendance is rendered impossible • notifying the school as soon as possible any morning that their child(ren) will be absent from school that day • contacting the school, if it is known in advance that an absence will occur, to make arrangements for make-up work prior to the anticipated absence • sending to school, on the morning a student returns to school after an absence, a written explanation for the absence • sending to school, if a student checks in tardy, a written explanation for the stu- dent’s arriving late • encouraging their child(ren) to develop an appreciation for the worth of becoming educated individuals • being an active part of the child(ren)’s school activities • providing positive feedback for their child(ren) as a means of building a healthy, success-oriented self-image • being available for and/or initiating conferences with school staff as needed; and • avoiding unnecessary absences, tardiness, and check outs (such as vacations and personal appointments, etc.)

The Standards of Student Conduct are designed to define the basic rules and major expectations of students in the public schools of Wythe County. It is the responsibility of the Wythe County School Board to adopt policy and regulations and the administration to issue regulations establishing rules of conduct for student behavior in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of its students. The local school principal has the responsibility

Upon the occasion of the 7th unverified absence, the principal will refer the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to the division attendance officer to evaluate appropriate legal action. According to the Code of Virginia, in cases where noncompliance continues without apparent extenuating circumstances, appropriate legal action will be initiated by either or both of the following: (1) filing a complaint with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court alleging the child is a child in need of supervision as defined in §16.1- 228 or (2) instituting proceedings against the parent pursuant to §18.2-371 or §22.1-262. In filing a complaint against the student, the attendance officer shall provide written documentation of the efforts already undertaken to resolve the student’s absence. If the student’s parents have joint physical custody of the student and the school has notice of the custody arrangement, then both parents shall be notified at the last known addresses. D. Ten (10) Absences

parent shall jointly develop a plan to resolve the student’s nonattendance. Such plan shall include documentation of the reasons for the student’s nonattendance B. Six (6) Absences

If the student is absent an additional day (6th unverified absence) after direct contact with the student’s parent and the school attendance officer has received no indication that the student’s parent is aware of and supports the student’s absence, the attendance officer shall schedule a conference within ten (10) school days, which must take place no later than the fifteenth (15) school day after the sixth (6) absence. At this conference (Wythe County Truancy Team Meeting), the student, his/her parent, and school personnel, shall meet to resolve issues related to the student’s nonattendance. Other community service providers may also be included in the conference. C. Seven (7) Absences

Students with ten (10) full day absences will have their attendance record reviewed by the principal/designee. In addition, students with any combination of checkouts, tardies, and full day absences which total ten (10) or more will have their attendance record reviewed by the principal/designee. If the attendance record review indicates a pattern of truancy, the parents or guardians will be notified either by telephone or in writing by school personnel and will be provided the opportunity to discuss attendance concerns. A plan to resolve attendance issues will be developed. Failure to comply with the plan will result in a referral to the Wythe County Truancy Team and/or a referral to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. E. Parental Cooperation in Remedying Excessive Absences

It is expected that parents will cooperate with the division attendance officer and other school officials to remedy the student’s attendance problem. If direct contact with a parent cannot be made, despite reasonable efforts, or where parents otherwise fail to cooperate in remedying the student’s attendance problem, the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee may seek immediate compliance with the compulsory school attendance laws. The division attendance officer, with the knowledge and approval of the Superintendent, shall institute proceedings against any parent who fails to comply