Washington Post
Family Newsletter for Washington Elementary
A Word from Mrs. Wolf
I don't know about you, but I spent the last two nights looking at images of "first day of school" pictures from friends and family who live in other states. Hard to believe we have a month of school under our belts in comparison!
September is School Attendance Awareness Month. I want to thank and congratulate you, because of your adherence to policy and willingness to make school a priority, our school met all of the targets set forth by our state leaders in regards to attendance. This is remarkable and a huge step in helping us reach other academic and social goals. I hope for a repeat this year!
This morning, I found myself faced with my personal child who was coughing incessantly and had drainage coming from seemingly everywhere! I knew it was a bad cold, but still more severe than I thought should occur in the classroom. It caused a hectic morning trying to decide if I would use one of our three parent notes or make a doctor appointment. I understand how this may seem frustrating. We understand that your child's well-being feels like your domain and not ours, at times. Where the paths cross is when the decision to remain home happens so often that gaps in instruction occur. It is our duty to work with you to try to change the pattern of attendance that may put your child's success at risk. Here are some facts to consider about absenteeism:
- Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school
- Absenteeism and its ill effects start early. One in 10 kindergarten and first grade students are chronically absent. Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade.
- Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
- The academic impact of missing that much school is the same whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
- When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
- Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students.
- A recent report found that students who arrived at school academically ready to learn — but then missed 10% of their kindergarten and first grade years — scored an average of 60 points below similar students with good attendance on third-grade reading tests.
- In one study, indicators reflecting poor attendance, misbehavior and course failure in sixth grade can be used to identify 60% of the students who will not graduate from high school
Please understand our district policy:
Students will be allowed to submit three (3) parental excuses per semester. All documentation regarding absences, whether a parent or medical excuse, it must be submitted upon the student’s return to school.
All medical notes from a health care provider must be faxed to your child(ren)’s school clinic to ensure they are received in a timely manner. The school’s front office can provide the fax number.
The principal is responsible for classifying student absences as excused or unexcused. While this duty may routinely be delegated to others, the principal has the final determination.
Students who have more than nine (9) unexcused absences to any one class will not be permitted to participate in Prom or Graduation. They may also be eliminated from participating in certain field trips or extracurricular events.
State law [TCA 49-6-3007(e)(2)] requires that the school begin sending notification to the parent/guardian when a student reaches three (3) unexcused absences. Parents will continue to receive notification letters each time a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences. After five (5) days of unexcused absence, a referral will be made to the Coordinator of Attendance who will determine the most appropriate course of action to address the unexcused absences. The Coordinator of Attendance will be informed of all attendance referrals needing attention. At the time of referral, the Coordinator will make a determination as to what action will be taken.
Looking for a weekend activity?
To: Educators and Friends of Aviation
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General public and students encouraged to attend
Free parking/Free Admission at General Aviation
Aircraft Tours & Rides/ Food Trucks/ informational Displays (including NE State aviation program)
Aircraft rides, event Info, schedule, and all details
at https://triflight.com/aviationcelebration/
(Note - not all events available at all times. Check the TRI Flight link for a detailed schedule.
Reservations are not required to fly in a helicopter or participate in youth rides in a C-172. Reservations are required for the B-25 ride. )
Come out and join in the fun.
Family Story Time
In this story, the two beasts have a problem to solve! This requires teamwork and respect.
Just like Patriots, we solve problems by recognizing the problem, realizing the impact, resolving it with reasonable solutions, and reconciling with others. Take a listen:
Upcoming events:
- September 10-14 Parent conference week, no school on Friday the 14th (dedicated as conference day)
- Gift of Reading September 21 Free book for each child, thanks PTA
- Birthdays with the Principals-September 21
- There will be our first club day this week! Join us each day to find out when!
- September 28- GWES Field Day-Come join us!
Safety Update:
- At morning arrival time, please pull all the way down to bay 1. After 7:30, we have adults outside to ensure your child enters the building, it is not necessary to only stop in front of the doors. We would appreciate the gesture of pulling forward so all parents in line can leave in a timely manner and be on time to work,etc.
- Please do not pass other cars prior to the crosswalk
- Please look into the crosswalk before removing your foot from the brake. Some parents are still watching their child walk in as they remove their foot from the break and are unaware there is a person crossing in front of them.
- When we call a number in the afternoon, we are calling the number for students more than for cars. If we get off in our numbering, simply move forward and do not leave gaps, we will make sure your child moves accordingly
- We do have students who walk home and must cross the carline. Please assume you should always stop at the crosswalk to look for children
- If you are coming to school from the University Blvd direction, the CIty of Kingsport traffic signs state that you cannot enter until 3:30. This prevents you from having to travel down to Lewis Lane to get in line. Please obey this traffic signage.
- Many of you have requested that I comment to parents about respectful behavior in the line. If you are passing other cars, cutting in line after people have been waiting their turn, it creates a tense environment. Please be respectful of all other drivers
Connect with US
We also communicate school news through Twitter @KCS_Washington follow us!
Also, we run a daily newscast written, directed and anchored by students. It will start soon! Check this out on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE_G-pvigFZFdC_YONZ3AWA