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October 2026
Show Your West Delaware Pride!
Take your Hawk pride on the road! West Delaware car decals are available in the high school office for $5 each. Stop by, pick one up, and show your support for our students, staff, and school community wherever you go!
Go Hawks!
Every Day and Every Class Matter
Regular attendance helps students stay connected, build strong learning habits, and make progress toward graduation. Being in class means access to teacher instruction, discussion, hands-on learning, and support that can be difficult to recreate through make-up work alone. At West Delaware High School, students are expected to attend every assigned class period, including homeroom and assemblies.
We understand that illness and other circumstances can affect attendance. Our goal is to work with families to address concerns early and help students stay on track.
What Families Need to Know:
Report absences: Call the high school office at (563) 927-3515 by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the absence. Families have 48 hours to report the reason. Without parent/guardian communication within that time, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.
Excused and exempt absences differ: A reported and approved absence may be excused but still count toward chronic absenteeism unless it qualifies for an exemption. Contact the office about medical needs or other circumstances that may qualify. Documentation may be requested.
Arrive on time: Students arriving up to 14 minutes late are tardy; students arriving 15 or more minutes late are absent. The third and fourth unexcused tardies in a class result in parent/guardian notification and after-school detention with the teacher. A fifth tardy in any class results in an administrative referral. Counts reset each term.
Keep up with missed work: Students should check Google Classroom and contact their teachers to arrange missed assignments and assessments. Generally, students receive two school days to make up work for the first day missed, plus one additional school day for each additional day absent.
Plan for activities: Students must attend the full school day to participate in or practice for a school activity. Exceptions require advance approval from the Principal, Activities Director, or designee.
How We Respond to Unexcused Absences
Our course attendance policy provides early intervention when unexcused absences accumulate in a class during a term:
2 unexcused absences: The teacher meets with the student, reviews the concern and make-up work expectations, and documents the conversation.
4 unexcused absences: The teacher meets with the student again and notifies the parent/guardian.
6 unexcused absences: Additional family contact occurs, and the student may be referred for support through the MTSS team, counselor, or administration. An attendance plan may be developed.
Loss of course credit is possible. Credit can be denied, and a failing grade can be issued due to attendance. Families receive notice and an opportunity to meet with administration, review records, and discuss options for demonstrating learning or completing essential coursework.
Please check attendance and course progress in PowerSchool regularly. If transportation, health, or another concern is making attendance difficult, contact us early so we can work together on a plan.
💸 FAFSA Completion Event:
West Delaware High School has partnered with Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) and Northeast Iowa Community College Manchester Center to offer a FREE assistance completion event for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is one of the first major steps in college preparation and the planning process. The event will be held on Thursday, November 19th from 3-7 pm. Schedule your 30-minute appointment by visiting https://calendly.com/cweber-icansucceed/fafsa-ready-iowa-appointment-clone?month=2026-11
📝 PSAT for Juniors
Junior students and parents received information via email regarding the upcoming PSAT test being offered at West Delaware on Wednesday, October 14th. The registration deadline is October 9th in the high school office. See the counselors for more information.
🧠 Brain Health Bit:
This month counselors will be leading students Question, Persuade, Refer; a suicide intervention procedure. We know that our students are often the ones who will be in the best position to help a struggling peer. This training helps prepare them for how to respond, what questions to ask, and how to get a struggling friend connected with a trusted adult as soon as possible. QPR (question, persuade, refer) is an evidence-based suicide prevention training program designed to teach people how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and safely intervene. In addition, this year's lesson will be utilizing resources from RUOK.org. We encourage you to look at both resources and learn more about how as a parent, you play a key role in student safety.
🎁 Operation Santa Claus:
Operation Santa Claus of Delaware County has opened applications for families in need of assistance this holiday season. Reach out to the school counselors for more information and applications.
A VNA I-Smile Dental Hygienist will be at West Delaware High School on Tuesday, Dec 1st to perform free screenings on all 9th graders who have not turned in the attached screening form. If you do not want your student to have the screening, please return a signed copy of the attached exemption form.
Students who have completed a screening within one year before 9th grade enrollment or a screening within 4 months after enrollment to 9th grade is acceptable. If your 9th grader has been to the dentist, but did not complete the form, please take it back to the office and have the dentist or dental hygienist complete it.
Contact Chelsey Pangburn, School Nurse, with any questions.
Staff Shoutouts
Has a West Delaware employee made a difference for your student or family? Whether they offered a helping hand, provided great service, or went the extra mile, we want to hear about it!
Help us celebrate the people who make West Delaware a special place. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to nominate an employee for a Staff Shoutout. Recognition may be featured on the district’s Facebook page.
Below are a few important dates and resources for families.