Dear Parents/Guardians,
Another school year is starting! We at White River Elementary want to welcome back the students and are committed to providing the best educational experience possible for them! We want to the school year to start off strong!
As a part of the Strategic Plan, that is located on the website, students will be recognized for “near perfect” and “perfect attendance” this year. They will also be recognized quarterly for academic success as well. It is important that students are in school every day.
State guidelines identify any student who attends less than 90% of the school year as chronically absent, regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused. A high chronic absenteeism rate negatively impacts out school and more importantly, means students are missing valuable instructional time.
White River School District has updated our attendance procedures for ALL ABSENCES, not just unexcused absences. This to ensure that our students receive the educational and instructional opportunities they deserve. The following attendance process will be implemented beginning the 2026-2027 SY.
Attendance Notification Process:
5 Absences: Parent/Guardian will be notified.
10 Absences: A formal notification will be issued, and a meeting will be scheduled with the student, parent/guardian, and principal to review attendance concerns and develop a plan for improvement with a possible attendance contract.
15 Absences: Ann additional notification will be sent, and a follow-up meeting will be set, with a possible attendance contract, truancy referral and the student may be considered for grade retention.
During attendance meetings, we will discuss the reasons for a student’s absences and work together to identify barriers to regular attendance. We understand that illnesses, family emergencies, and other legitimate circumstances occur. Our goal is to support families while emphasizing the importance of attending school.
We ask families to carefully consider whether an absence is truly necessary before keeping a student home. Routine appointments, vacations, and personal days should be scheduled outside of school as there is meaningful important content instruction taking place every day. Let’s work together to increase academic success and reduce chronic absenteeism.
Some dates to put in your calendars:
August 24th – First day of school for students
September 7th – Labor Day – No School
September 18th – Homecoming
September 24th – Early Dismissal at 3:15 Family Engagement Night 4:00-8:00
Something new this year will be the dismissal process. Students will be dismissed at 3:40. Walkers and students being picked up will go outside the south door of the Elementary where they exited last year. Students riding the bus will go out the north doors and get on the busses in front of the Middle School.
Take care,
Jodi Stoddard
White River Elementary Principal