schools
september17
2015
Schools Update: Attendance
By David Spackman
September is Attendance Awareness Month
across the nation. The Vernonia School District is
committed to encouraging good attendance so we
want to take this opportunity to draw attention to the
importance of attendance. Showing up for school has
a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting
in kindergarten and continuing through high school.
Research shows:
• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1 st
grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the
end of 3 rd grade.
• By 6 th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning
sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
School Board Report
At the September 10, 2015 School
Board Meeting:
• By 9 th grade good attendance can predict graduation
rates even better than 8 th grade test scores.
Absences can add up quickly. By the legal
definition, a child is chronically absent if he or she
misses just two days every month, or 10% of the school
year. In Vernonia that means students who miss 15 days
of school or more (for the entire year) are chronically
absent.
Parents have a big responsibility in ensuring
that their children get to school every day and on time.
If you are a parent, here are some suggestions that may
be helpful.
• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and
establish a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure your children go to school every day unless
they are truly sick
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments
when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers or the counselor for advice if your
children feel anxious about going to school.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due
to health problems or other circumstances. But, we
also know that when students miss too much school—
regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind
academically. We know that as adults, good attendance
is almost always required for good job performance.
Attendance Awareness month gives us an opportunity
to focus on this trait, essential for success in school and
in the world of work.
ing language that indicated “progress
toward state academic standards and a
student’s ability to perform at the next
level of instruction” would be the most
important criteria when considering
at what grade level students should be
placed. The policy stated that extenuat-
ing circumstances would be considered
but that school authorities, instead of
parents, now have the final decision on
whether to promote or hold back a stu-
dent.
in employee status impacted the budget,
but was necessary.
Phase II of the playground
equipment was installed by the PTA with
a lot of help from the Vernonia Free-
wheelers.
Construction of the softball field
continues to progress.
A change in policy will now al-
low food in the gymnasium during ath-
letic events. Various student groups will
be responsible for cleanup.
Superintendent Report – Superin-
tendent Aaron Miller reported that the
Columbia County Superintendents are
working on a plan, and grant, to create a
regional Career and Technical Education
hub in the county with a focus on Health
Board Approves Policies – The Board
Care Professional training.
approved a series of policies as present-
Five part-time instructional as-
ed. The approved policies included a
sistants have been moved to full-time
change in wording to policy IKE “Pro-
status with full benefits to meet the needs
motion and Retention of Students” add-
of all students. Miller said the change
Board Nominates Kintz – The Board
nominated board member Greg Kintz to
serve on the Oregon School Board As-
sociation (OSBA) Board of Directors,
representing the North Coast Region.
Kintz has served two previous terms in
this position.
Enrollment Increase – Superintendent
Aaron Miller told the Board the unoffi-
cial starting enrollment has increased for
the second year in a row. Miller told the
Board that the 2014-15 ending enroll-
ment was 555 students after starting the
year at 580. Unofficial starting enroll-
ment for the 2015-16 school year is 601.
Board Approves Athletic Agreement
with Banks – The Board approved a
recommendation from Superintendent
Aaron Miller for an agreement with the
Banks School District to allow one high
school student to play soccer with the
Banks High School team.
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tic Water Bags be declared as surplus.
Public Comment - Amy Cieloha sug-
gested that the current price of $150 for
a family pass to all high school sports
events is too high. Cieloha said the cost
of the pass was $50 about 10 years ago,
but is now prohibitive for families and
does not encourage regular attendance at
events.
Student Reports – Amanda Rose Si-
card, Public Relations Representative
from the High School Leadership Class,
told the Board that the Leadership Class
is planning a Blood Drive; Homecom-
ing Week will be October 5-9 and the
football game will be against Portland
Christian; there are 17 foreign exchange
students this year; senior projects will
be starting soon.
Board Approves Surplus Items – The Staff Handbook Presented – The Board
Board approved a John Deer Lx176 was presented with a revised version of
Mower and twenty 20-gallon Gator Plas- the Staff Handbook.
