Dear Families,
We have had a wonderful start to the school year. These first three days of school, teachers began their work on their First Six Weeks of school. These first six weeks, as a school, we focus on teaching students the expectations of the school in general, and in each specific space. Our district wide expectations are HEART; Honest, Engaged, Appropriate, Responsible, and Timely. Adults have been acknowledging students when they see them following an expectation with a heart token. Some of our classes already have their classroom heart jar halfway filled!
Our goal is to educate the whole child. The Vermont State law intends to ensure students between the ages of 6 and 16 and who are residents of Winooski, and non-resident students who enroll in the schools within the school district, are in school and learning. Good attendance often leads to better success in school.
When a student is going to be tardy or absent from school for all or any part of the day, the parent/guardian must call the school at 655-0411 to report the absence. This responsibility rests with the parent/guardian. This call will ensure the safety of students and accuracy in tracking attendance. School personnel will call to follow up with the parent/guardian if they have not called school to report an absence
Excused Absences
An absence is considered excusable when it is the result of:
- Student illness (after three consecutive days, we request a doctor’s note);
- Observance of recognized religious holidays when the observance is required during the regular school day;
- Emergency family situations such as a death in the family;
- Absences due to suspension or expulsion;
- Planned absences for personal and educational purposes which have been approved by the administration.
Medical and dental appointments or court appearances are also excused absences, however will require documentation to be obtained from the medical care provider or the court. Document will be required to be submitted in writing within (5) school days of the absence; otherwise it will remain unexcused.
Planned Absences of more than two days need to be arranged through the office at least five days in advance of the absence and approved by the administration.
Attendance Procedures
To better inform families of student attendance, the following procedures will be followed. No differentiation will be made between excused or unexcused when reporting the cumulative total of absences.
Cumulative is the total, not necessarily consecutive, excused or unexcused, number of absences. All families receive letters at 5, 10, 15 and 20 cumulative tardies/absences/early dismissals during the school-year.
Additionally the school may:
- 5-days total: Letter will be sent home to parents/guardians
- 10-days total: Phone contact may be made by a school official or designee with the parent/guardians/guardians
- 15-days total: Building administrator or designee may require the parent/guardians/guardians to attend a school conference. If the parent/guardian refuses to attend the conference, the case may be turned over to the school resource officer (SRO)
- 20 or more days total: After 20 cumulative days of missed school in some capacity during the school year, the school will turn the case over to the District Attorney for further investigation. Truancy charges may be brought forward.
Early Dismissals
Early dismissals should be limited to court appearances, religious obligations, funerals and medical appointments that cannot be scheduled after 3:00 p.m. If a student needs to be dismissed before the end of the school day, the parent/guardian must write a note or call the office.
Tardy to School
Being regularly on time to school and class is a value in our school’s district wide values (H.E.A.R.T.- Timely). Students are tardy if they arrive after 8:05 a.m. Any student arriving at school after 8:05 a.m. must get a pass to enter their classroom. There is a staff member in the front lobby 8:05 – 8:30 to hand out late slips. If a student comes to school after 8:30, they must come to the JFK office to get a tardy slip.
We want to work with our families to ensure that students are in school everyday. The building is a better place when your student is here.
Have a fantastic long weekend!
Sara Raabe
JFK Principal
*************************************************************************************************************************
Upcoming Important Dates:
Monday, September 2nd: No School
Monday, September 16th: Picture Day
Wednesday, September 18th: Early Dismissal at 12:15, PTO Meeting at 5:30pm
Friday, September 27th: All School Morning Meeting