May 1st, 2023

At WCI, we know how vital school attendance and established routines are for students to build knowledge, skills and confidence. As we enter the last quarter of the school year, we would like to take this opportunity to remind our school community of the importance of class attendance and the procedures for attendance at WCI.  There is significant evidence that correlates student performance with attendance in class.

Students are expected to attend all classes scheduled in their timetable unless their attendance has been excused for one of the following reasons:

  • Illness as reported by the parent or guardian
  • School activity (ie: sports or field trip)
  • Other circumstances reported by the parent or guardian

It is essential to understand that attendance is taken for each class independently and that attending the school will not result in a student being marked present.  Students must report to their assigned classes and cannot be given permission to remain at school but not attend class.  At times students will be permitted to leave class to attend the washroom, guidance appointments or to seek assistance with other issues, but these departures are usually brief and they should not result in a student being marked absent.   

We recognize that school attendance has been a challenge during the last few years and we want to support students in returning to regular routines for school.  Starting this week, WCI staff will follow up with students not in their scheduled classes and ask them to validate their absence.  If they cannot validate their absence, the student will be considered truant, and the school will be employing progressive interventions to address the truancy with the student.

Reporting/Validating an Absence

If your student needs to be away from school due to illness or another circumstance, you are asked to notify the school by either emailing wci-attendance@wrdsb.ca or by calling and leaving a message on the attendance phone line 519-884-9590 and Press 1.  We ask that you do that before noon on the day of the absence to avoid your student being called down to validate their absence the following day.

Signing Out During the School Day

If a student needs to leave during the day, they are asked to attend the office to sign out.  They will need the permission of their parent or guardian (as indicated in the Aspen contact list) which can be provided ahead of time by emailing wci-attendance@wrdsb.ca or by calling and leaving a message on the attendance phone line 519-884-9590 and Press 1.  If permission is not provided ahead of time, a school secretary will need to speak with the parent or guardian directly at one of the numbers previously provided to the school.

Attendance Suggestions for Parents, Guardians and Caregivers
Below are some tips and strategies you can try at home to help encourage school attendance.

  • Consistent routines around sleep and bedtime so your student gets enough sleep. Adolescents need more sleep than adults (8-10 hours is recommended).
  • Removing technology distractions (ie, video games, cellphones, Chromebooks, gaming consoles) at bedtime.
  • Keep the expectation in your home of attending school and all classes.  Even if your child is anxious about school, ensure the expectation of regular attendance does not change.  
  • Talk to your child to find out what is behind them not wanting to go to class and ask for support to help them.

There are supports at school and in the community to assist students struggling with attendance.  At school, these supports include Child and Youth Workers, Social Workers, Student Success Teachers, Guidance Counselors and Special Education Teachers.  If you would like to speak with someone about your child’s attendance, please contact their Vice-Principal.

Mr Ryan Gibb (Last names starting A-F)
Ms. Erika Litschgy (Last names starting G-Mo)
Ms. Emilie Kalinowski (Last names starting Mu-Z)