Vision: To create a learning environment that will enable every child to discover his or her unique gifts and talents.

Mission: To enhance and expand on each child’s unique gifts and talents to ensure every child is college, career and life ready.

Beginning on March 1st, all IWCS fifth graders will participate in division-wide screening for the Gifted Education Program through the use of a standardized test (Cognitive Abilities Test--CogAT). The screening assessment will only be given in person.

Once students have completed the assessment, we will reach out to parents of students scoring in the 89th percentile or above with a letter requesting permission for your child to continue in the identification process. More information on the gifted program for Isle of Wight County Schools can be found on the division’s website under Departments: Instruction.

Here are a few suggestions for ensuring your child’s best performance:

• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep each night during testing

• Have your child eat a healthy breakfast at home or at school in the morning

• Encourage them to do their best

Please contact your child’s school if you have questions about the administration of the test, the identification process or the gifted program for Isle of Wight County Schools.

Monday, March 13th

- Student Holiday/Staff Professional Learning Day

Tuesday, March 14th

- School Board Budget Work Session - 6:00p.m. @ Westside Elementary

The School Board will hold a Work Session for the FY23-24 Operational School Budget on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 6:00pm at Westside Elementary School Auditorium, 800 W. Main St., Smithfield, VA 23430. The meeting will be streamed live on the IWCS Facebook page and YouTube channel. Information on the proposed budget is available at https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/budgetplanning.

Wednesday, March 15th

- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting: 6:00p.m. @ Westside Elementary Library

Upcoming Important Dates:

March 21st: Family Engagement/Art Auction 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. (more information to come)

March 23rd: Spring Photo make-up day

April 5th: End of Third Quarter

April 10th-14th: All Schools/Offices Closed (Spring Break)

April 15th: Yearbook Order Deadline (see information below)

April 26th: Report Cards Issued

April 28th: Elementary Student Holiday - Teacher Work Day (Regular day for MS/HS)

April: Grandparents' Lunch - Final Date TBD

May 12th: Interim Reports Issued

May 12th: Muffins with Moms 8:00a.m. - 8:45a.m.

May 29th: All Schools/Offices Closed (Memorial Day)

June 9th: Field Day (more information to come)

June 14th: Three Hour Early Dismissal for All Schools

June 15th: Three Hour Early Dismissal for All Schools; Last Day of School/End of Fourth Quarter/Second Semester; Elementary & Middle School Report Card Issued

June 16th: Staff Work Day/High School Graduations

June 19th: All Schools/Offices Closed (Juneteenth)

June 20th: Begin Summer Hours

June 27th: High School Report Cards Mailed Home

IWCS School Calendar 2022-2023

Only store bought items with labeled ingredients may be sent to school for student consumption during special events, such as birthdays or other celebrations. Thank you!

Makeup & Retake Day: Thursday, 3/23

Product Delivery: Photo orders will process in about one week and ship directly to the address you provide (not the school).

IWCS - Preschool Application

Questions?

Please contact Preschool (VPI) Coordinator: Haley Cooprider

Email: hcooprider@iwcs.k12.va.us

Phone: 757-357-0758

Email: sjones@featherlitecoaches.com

Phone: 757-653-4757

The award focuses on the four broad areas of the Strategic Plan: Inspire, Succeed, Lead, Empower. The first letter of each word spells ISLE. When read together, the sound you hear is “I’ll Inspire” or “I’ll Succeed”, giving everyone ownership of the key actions throughout the plan.

Across CES, people are demonstrating acts of inspiration, success, leadership, and empowerment. The ISLE award welcomes nominations that demonstrate how someone in the CES community has embodied one of these areas.

From October through June, four nominees will be selected for recognition--one in each category-- and will be highlighted on our social media pages, website, and newsletters for our school and for IWCS.

Thank you for taking time to nominate someone for a Carrsville Elementary ISLE Award.

Click here to be directed to the link.

Click here to access the Carrsville Elementary "Let's Talk" link.

As we resume normal school operations and begin to move past the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that families 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, the division wants to take a moment to remind families 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.

Elementary school students may not be promoted to the next grade if unexcused absences from school total more than ten (10) days.

Middle school students may not be promoted to the next grade nor granted credit for a course if unexcused absences from school or from a class which earns high school credit total more than ten (10) days.

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 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 contact Mrs. Hatfield, CES Principal, if you have any questions.

When a student has missed school, a note from the parent/guardian must be received by the school office. The note must contain the following information:

- reason for the absence,

- the date(s) of the absence,

- the signature of the parent or other authorized person, and

- a telephone number where the parent or other authorized person may be reached during the day.

When a note is not submitted, the absence will be considered unexcused. Each student is allowed 5 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:

1st - 2nd continuous unverified/unexcused absences - AUTOMATED CALL home is made

3rd unverified/unexcused absences - CALL home is made

4th unverified/unexcused absences - LETTER is sent home

5th-7th unverified/unexcused absences - ATTENDANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN is developed with follow-ups

8th unverified/unexcused absences - Attendance Care Team makes TRUANCY REFERRAL and meeting scheduled with administrator

10th unverified/unexcused absences - TRUANCY court process initiated

12th-15th unverified/unexcused absences - family may be referred to Social Services/CARES team

15th + unverified/unexcused absences - CHINS disposition/CHINS order filed; other violations may result per court liaison or judge

*CHINS: Child in Need of Services/Supervision