Our role in preparing our students for postsecondary learning, careers, and life is best fulfilled when we are all HERE. We want your student to feel connected and that they belong HERE in WDMCS. 

What is chronic absenteeism?

A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10 percent of school, which is 18 or more days in a year. This equals only two days a month.

Why do we need to talk about it?

Research shows consistent attendance: 

• helps children reach early academic and developmental milestones,
• helps students develop positive relationships with peers and staff,
• prevents students from falling behind academically,
• connects families to additional community resources, and
• increases graduation rates.

If your child needs to stay home or be late for school, please call the school office before the start of the school day and report your child’s name, homeroom teacher, and reason for the absence or tardiness. If a child is reported absent by the homeroom teacher and the school has not been notified, the secretary or school nurse will contact the home to ensure the child’s safety. In the case of excessive absences, a physician’s note, school nurse, or building administrator’s documentation may be required to excuse the absence. If there is anything our school can do to help your child attend school regularly and on time, please contact your student’s school.

• If there is a family emergency, please contact the school office, and they will reach your child. If there is an emergency at school, we will call the parent/guardian.
• Cell phone usage is only allowed before or after school. 
• Smart watches can be worn as long as they are not a distraction.
• If a phone or other device becomes a distraction, a teacher or staff member may keep the device until the end of the day.
• WDMCS is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen cell phones or communication devices.
• To learn more about cell phone privacy, please read Board Policy 502.09 Search and Seizure.

Classroom Treats

Student health and wellness is a top priority. The district’s wellness policy provides more information (Policy 608.01). Homemade treats are not allowed. If you select from one of the items listed on the store-bought snack list, you can bring a classroom treat that was purchased from a store. All treats must be store-bought and meet the USDA guidelines for snacks.

• Can I bring homemade treats from home for a classroom party to share with others?
  Homemade treats cannot be sold or shared with multiple students during the school day.
  
  
• What about pre-packed treats from a store?
  Please select one of the items listed on the store-bought snack list.
  
  
• Can I still pack whatever I want in my student’s sack lunch from home?
  Yes. Packing a healthy school lunch is encouraged under the student wellness policy, but there are no restrictions as to what you must pack in a student’s lunch brought from home.
  
  
• Do I have to purchase a snack for my student that is on the approved snack list? 
  No. Students can bring their own individual snack. 

Approved snacks can be found online at https://discover.wdmcs.org/classroom-snacks.

Food Deliveries

Families can drop off a sack lunch or school materials when needed at the school office. 

Please do not deliver restaurant food (including UberEats, GrubHub, etc.), balloon bouquets, flowers, etc. to school for your child. This causes disruption to the class and disappointment to those never receiving the same. If they are delivered, they will be held in the office and given to your child at dismissal. We appreciate your cooperation in these matters.

Families are invited to cheer on the Valley Tigers during athletic events throughout the year. Elementary students can only attend home football games at Valley Stadium with an adult (no drop-offs). The adult is responsible for the students they bring to the game. This guideline is in place to support student safety and provide a positive experience for all fans.

Students and their parents/guardians hold the primary responsibility for what a student chooses to wear to school each day. When a student is comfortable in what they wear, including expressing their individuality and/or personal and family culture, they can better focus on learning. WDMCS expectations for student dress and appearance are based on safety and showing respect for others.

• Students are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, including coats, hats, gloves, and boots. Any family who needs support in obtaining clothing or shoes should contact the school office.
• Shoes must be worn at all times for student safety.
• Clothing or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors or displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct are not allowed. If worn, a student will be asked to change or be given something different to wear for the day.

School administration will work with the parent/guardian and student to address any concerns and create a positive solution. Board Policy 502 — Student Appearance gives administration final discretion regarding student dress and appearance.

WDMCS welcomes visitors and volunteers to its school buildings. Visitors are individuals who come to watch an assembly, eat lunch with their child, or visit their child’s classroom. Typically, visitors arrange 24 hours in advance when they wish to meet with a classroom teacher and limit their visits to a short period of time.  It is important that they do not interfere with the class in progress or discuss individual concerns when students are present. Young children and/or students must be accompanied by an adult when visiting. 

Volunteers are often asked to help with a project at school. There are many choices for volunteers, including classroom assistance, participation in building and activity support groups, and service on districtwide or building committees. You may obtain more information about sharing your time and skills by calling your school office. Volunteers may be subject to additional screening processes.

Both visitors and volunteers enter the building through the front door and check in at the office to pick up a visitor badge every time they visit. Please bring your personal identification with you. Examples of personal identification include a state-issued ID, passport, military license, Mexico Consular ID card, and Permanent Resident card. Your ID will be run through a screening process called Raptor. They will also be asked where they will be in the building. This helps school staff understand where individuals are in the event of an emergency. Individuals who do not pass the Raptor screening process will not be allowed into the building.

Because WDMCS adheres to state and federal laws, all visitors and volunteers on school grounds must comply with the State of Iowa’s Senate File 482, which states individuals must use the restroom of their assigned gender at birth. All schools have multi-stall, gender-specific, and individual restrooms available.