Dear Parents and Families of Isle of Wight County Schools,
The Isle of Wight County School (IWCS) Board’s top priority is ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of our students – your children. As such, we find it necessary to write you today to address a concerning rise in unacceptable behavior on and around our school campuses.
Since Virginia legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2021, the consumption of marijuana cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CDB) has become increasingly common in our society. This consumption can occur through various forms like smoking or vaping, and edible “gummies”. The use of marijuana poses serious health risks, especially to young people, and IWCS has zero tolerance for any activity that puts our students at risk.
Our schools are meant to be safe and supportive spaces for learning and growth. Unfortunately, recent incidents have made it necessary to explicitly state our policy regarding drug use. Let us be clear: the use, possession, or being under the influence of marijuana, in any form, is strictly prohibited on school property at all times. Additionally, wearing clothing that depicts or promotes marijuana is also strictly prohibited on all school property at all times. This includes school buildings, grounds, parking lots, and school-sponsored events, whether on or off-campus. This prohibition applies to all individuals, including students, staff, parents, and visitors.
Our commitment to you:
We will continue to work closely with school administration and law enforcement to address and investigate all incidents of unacceptable behavior, including those involving marijuana.
We will enforce our division policies firmly and consistently. Consequences for violations may include disciplinary action, such as suspension or expulsion for students, as well as restricting access to school property and involving legal authorities when necessary.
We will reinforce with our staff the appropriate procedures for managing and reporting disruptive and prohibited behavior, and we will support them in maintaining a safe learning environment.
How you can help:
Model appropriate behavior. Please help us by demonstrating the respectful and civil conduct that we expect from everyone on our campuses.
Familiarize yourself with IWCS policies at https://www.iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/policy and your student’s school handbook.
Report concerns. If you witness unacceptable behavior, including suspected drug use, please report it immediately to school administration so it can be addressed.
Have proactive conversations. We ask parents to speak with their children about the dangers of marijuana and the importance of making healthy choices. Resources are available for families struggling with substance abuse.
Maintaining a safe and productive learning environment is a community-wide responsibility. We appreciate the vast majority of our community members who consistently support our schools with positive engagement. It is our hope that by working together, we can ensure that our campuses remain places where all students can thrive.
Sincerely,
The Isle of Wight County School Board
(District 1) Brandi Perkins
(District 2) Mark Wooster, Vice-Chairman
(District 3) Michael Cunningham
(District 4) Jason P. Maresh, Chairman
(District 5) John Collick