PWCS recognizes the importance of partnerships between schools and families in making schools safe, effective learning environments and in promoting children's social-emotional development. PWCS emphasizes the significance of positive communication between families and educators and encourages avenues for families to communicate their concerns, provide suggestions, and access information regarding their children to create a positive partnership between families and schools, thus strengthening the school community.
Under Virginia law, parents have a duty to:
- Assist the school in enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school attendance in order that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual rights (Code of Virginia § 22.1-279.3 (a)).
- Review and acknowledge the COB, promote proper student conduct, assist the school with the discipline of the student, and meet with school officials, if requested, to discuss matters related to discipline and school.
- Safely store any firearm present in the household.
- Sign a statement showing that they know their responsibilities. This statement is in the Back to School packet in ParentVUE.
- Complete an annual review of the COB and other necessary legal acknowledgments immediately before the start of school or during the first weeks of the school year.
- Ensure that the student is appropriately dressed for school as determined by the dress code, which is developed cooperatively at local schools by students, parent(s), and school staff.
- Provide such books, materials, instruments, uniforms, and equipment as are required for effective participation in the school program.
- Know promotion and graduation requirements as published each year for middle and high school students in the “Secondary Course Catalog.”
- Provide current emergency information, including a telephone number, to the school to ensure that the school can contact the parent immediately in case of an emergency.
- Provide a certified copy of the student’s birth certificate, and/or immigration documentation, physical examination, and record of the completed series of immunizations, upon initial entry to school.
- Understand that drugs and weapons, as described in the COB, will not be tolerated at school activities, on property owned by the school board, when going to and from school and bus stops, on school buses, at bus stops, and in cases involving off-site, school-sponsored activities such as field trips, sporting events, and club activities; and that violators are subject to corrective action, up to and including expulsion.
(Parents have the right to disagree with a school's or school division's policies or decisions. Parents may appeal decisions concerning their student using the procedures outlined in Regulation 731-1, “Appeal of Student Matters.”)