The Department of Student Services is an integral part of West Point Public Schools. It is responsible for all programs that serve as a support for students and families. We address issues related to homelessness, discipline, truancy, school health, enrollment, early intervention teams, therapeutic day treatment services, and inter-agency support programs.

Students, staff, parents and community members are encouraged to report safety concerns as soon as they become aware of a concern.  When possible, we ask that you report actual or suspected threats directly to a school administrator or trusted staff member.

When reporting a concern, please include as much information as possible.  The more information you can provide, the more helpful this will be in resolving the concern.  Try to answer the following questions:

1. What happened?

2. When and where did it happen?

3. Who was involved?  Do you have their name, age, or grade?

State Law (§22.1-248) mandated consequences are applied to those absences considered truancies.

If a student is truant five days during the school year, then the parent and child must participate with school officials to develop a plan to resolve the child’s nonattendance. If a sixth truancy occurs during the school year, a conference will be scheduled to resolve issues related to the nonattendance.

Finally, if a seventh truancy occurs during the school year, the law specifies that the school may file a complaint with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court alleging the child is in need of supervision. School personnel are also permitted to institute proceedings in this court against the parent(s) if they refuse to participate in the development of the plan to resolve the child’s truancy (at the fifth truancy) or if the parent refuses to participate in the conference (at the sixth truancy).

The McKinney-Vento Act ensures educational rights and protection for youth and children experiencing homelessness.

Anyone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless. You qualify if you are:

• Living in an emergency shelter or transitional housing

• Living in a motel, hotel, or campground due to economic hardship or lack of housing

• Sharing housing with relatives or others due to economic hardship or lack of housing

• Living in a car, park, public place, bus or train station or an abandoned building

If a student is found eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act, the school district can provide the following services:

• Immediate school enrollment

• Transportation

• Free meals

• Referrals to community resources for food, clothing, shelter, etc.

Parents/Guardians who think they may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Act should contact our Homeless/McKinney-Vento Liaison, Aimee Buzek, at abuzek@wpschools.net or by phone at 804-843-2030 extension 359

Project Hope is the office of the State Coordinator for Homeless Education in Virginia. Project Hope is located at the College of William and Mary.