Student Services
School Health Service
Lynchburg City Schools has a full-time Nurse Coordinator, a full-time RN in each High School and Middle School, a full-time Health Assistant in each Elementary School, and a full-time RN at the Laurel Regional Program and Hutcherson Early Learning Center.
The school division works in collaboration with the Lynchburg Health Department to offer special services for students, such as the 3rd grade Dental Program and the 5th grade Hepatitis B shot series. Every school building has at least two staff members trained in CPR and in diabetic emergency care.
School Health Advisory Board
The board is appointed by the Lynchburg City School Board. The board advises the school division on aspects of the school health program and student health issues.
Truancy
Lynchburg City Schools has a Truancy Center located at Opportunity House, 1517 Jackson Street. The Truancy Center is staffed with three Lynchburg City School employees who accept truancy referrals from the individual schools and process the cases to the court. An Interagency Truancy Review Team is in place to review truancy cases and write recommendations for the Juvenile Court.
Truancy Center phone number: 434-455-4003
Report truant students during school hours: 847-1602 (Police non-emergency phone number).
Learnfare
Lynchburg City Schools’ Truancy Center staff works with the Lynchburg Department of Human Services to monitor “learnfare” cases. The code of Virginia requires families who receive assistance (TANF) have their children attend school regularly.
SCHOOL SAFETY
D.A.R.E.
Two Lynchburg City Police Officers teach the Drug Abuse Awareness Resistance Education Program (DARE) to all 5th grade students.
S.R.O.
Each high school and middle school has a full time School Resource Officer (SRO). The police officer is in the school building to promote school safety among students and as a resource to the faculty and staff.
Elementary Alternative Education
Lynchburg City Schools works with Strategic Therapy Associates, Inc. to conduct the PHOENIX School Program. This program provides a short-term alternative education site for elementary students. Students are transitioned to their home school after completing the PHOENIX Program.
Positive Behavior Support Services
Lynchburg City Schools offers “PATHS” Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies for elementary school students experiencing difficulty managing anger. Central Virginia Community Services provide the services. Elementary guidance counselors make referrals to the program.
Case Management for Elementary Students
Lynchburg City Schools monitors students academic progress and behavior at school. When students develop difficulty managing behavior in the classroom, support services may be put into place. Lynchburg City Schools contracts with Strategic Therapy Associates, Central Virginia Community Services and Centra Health for the support services necessary. Elementary guidance counselors make referrals.
Families and Schools Together ( FAST )
FAST is an innovative program that involves parents in circles of support so they can more easily help their children succeed. The program seeks to increase the child and family’s affiliation toward their school and support the parent in their role as partners in the educational process. The FAST program is available at Bass, Heritage and Sheffield elementary schools. Contact the schools for more information about participation in FAST.
Community Collaboration
Lynchburg City Schools has an excellent working relationship with area agencies serving youth and families. “School Summit” is a quarterly meeting conducted by the school division to “network” and share information about services available in the community. The Summit Meeting is open to anyone wishing to attend. For information on the Summit meeting schedule call the Department of Student Services 522-3700 ext.140.
Elementary School Reassignment
A parent/guardian may request an alternative school assignment for elementary students if there is a documented hardship involving a working parent/guardian and the need for child care services. No such provisions are made for reassignment of middle or high school students. Refer to school board policy 7-12. Elementary School Reassignment Form (Babysitter Hardship).
Home Instruction
As required by the compulsory attendance statutes in the State Code of Virginia, children who will have reached their fifth birthday on or before September 30 of any school year and who have not passed the eighteenth birthday are required to attend school during the period of each year the public schools are in session. Parents with children between the stated ages may elect to provide home instruction in lieu of school attendance if they satisfy the requirements as outlined in 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia. Refer to Lynchburg City School Board Policies 7-11 and 7-11.2 as well as §22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia.
- Intent to Provide Home Instruction Form
- Home Instruction in Virginia-Information for Parents site
- Religious Exemption Template Form
Guidance and Counseling Program
The Lynchburg City School Board affirms that parents are the student’s first teachers and that the public schools should serve to strengthen family and parental support. Guidance programs are designed to provide academic guidance, career guidance, and person/social counseling. No student will be required to participate in any counseling program to which the student’s parents object. Refer to the Guidance section under Departments on this web site and Lynchburg School Board Policy 6-53. Guidance Staff Page.
Discipline
The Lynchburg City School Board has high expectations for students’ behavior in school and at school events. Good discipline must be maintained in order for instruction to be delivered thereby optimizing the potential for all students to learn and achieve academically. When the rules and regulations for student conduct are violated, students are subject to disciplinary sanctions, which may include but not be limited to suspensions, alternative education placements, and expulsions, as outlined in school board policies and regulations. Appeals of student suspensions may be available in certain circumstances. Parents may contact the Director of Student Services to determine if an appeal may be granted. Refer to discipline policies and regulations in Section 7 of the Lynchburg City School Board Policy Manual.
SOL Testing
The Standards of Learning (SOL) testing program is administered in accordance with state regulations. The SOL tests are administered during the dates specified by the Virginia Department of Education in such a way that there is centralized control of a maximum number of testing conditions, including test security. Students in grades 3 through 8 as well as high school students enrolled in courses where they may earn verified credits are assessed during the school year.
C&I - SOL Six Week Units
Department of Education Home Page