Wheeling Park High School Cracking Down on Absenteeism, Tardiness
Derek Redd Trending
WHEELING -- Students who are perpetually late or absent this year at Wheeling Park High School might find themselves riding the bus or having Mom or Dad drive them to school.
They could also lose out on going to the homecoming dance this fall. And if that doesn't work, the courts may be called upon to get involved.
The school is cracking down on chronic tardiness and absenteeism, explained Principal Meredith Dailer.
"We're just reinforcing what was already in place, and emphasizing that being in school is important," she said. "We want people to be here on time and be here every day."
In short, officials at WPHS will continue to reward students who come to school on time, while tardiness and absenteeism will be connected to privileges.
To start, those who are frequently late or miss school will lose their dance and parking privileges at WPHS.
The school will excuse absences when there is a doctor's note, and up to 10 times per school when a parent has provided a note for missing school, Dailer said.
There are also times when there are school approved absences for college visits or field trips, she added.
"Parking (at the school) is considered a privilege," Dailer continued. "It can be revoked if there is an issue with attendance. If they lose this, the student may have to ride a bus, or have a parent drop them off."
What is different this year is that Community In Schools liaison Unique Murphy will be focusing on those students who are tardy or absent from school. Murphy said her job description as an in-school social worker has been altered to include attendance issues, and she has created a tiered system.
At Tier 1, she will promote attendance-related contests between the grades with prizes to be awarded. At Tier 2, Murphy will meet with the biggest offenders during lunch time for games "that relate to attendance in a fun way."
"As we play I can ask, 'How can I help you come to school?" she said.
Tier 3 kicks in when a student maybe isn't at school at all, Murphy continued.
"At Tier 3, I might notice they are not coming to school, and I go to their door," she said. "I will ask, 'What's going on? What can I help you with?'"
Murphy said she may find that the family has a daycare issue, with the older sibling being late because they must help get the younger ones off to school. It also could be that their water or electricity has been turned off, or that there is a transportation issue.
"I (visited homes) last year when there was a behavior-related issue," Murphy continued. "I will do that more this year, but I will start with a phone call."
If there is a chronic attendance issue, the case could be referred to the juvenile mediation program in the Ohio County court system.
"Then it is out of my hands, and it's a legal issue," she said.