Inside A2 Foundation seeks support for flag
Powhatan, Virginia B1 BSH football gearing up for 2016 campaign
Vol. XXIX No. 33
August 17, 2016
Schools seek to boost attendance By Laura McFarland News Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board voted last week to approve changes to the district’s code of student conduct that include ways to target reducing tardiness and chronic absenteeism in Powhatan Schools. On Tuesday, Aug. 9, the board heard about changes the staff was proposing to the 2016-17 Code of Conduct during its workshop and then approved those changes in the meeting that followed. The new code of conduct was approved unanimously by the four board members present. Rick Cole, who represents District 1, was absent. Katie Wojcicki, director of pupil personnel services and special education instruction, specifically addressed the district’s attendance issues in her presentation during the workshop.
In addition to the board’s vote, Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent, approved the school district’s regulation on student absences, excuses and dismissal. Regulations are guidelines on how a policy is to be administered and do not need school board approval. Among the changes to the code of conduct is the addition of an entirely new section addressing chronic absenteeism, which is defined as a student missing 10 percent or more of the school year. The new section laid out the number of absences, excused or unexcused, that will lead to a student being considered chronically absent: elementary, more than 18 absences for the year, and secondary schools, more than nine absences from a class within a given semester if the class meets daily and more than five absences if the class has an alternate schedule. Another addition to the code of conduct is that after a certain amount of excused absences during a nine-
week period – five to 10, depending on the situation – the principal may require a note from a medical professional verifying illness or a medical/ dental appointment, according to the document. Examples of excused absences or tardiness include student illness, serious illness or medical emergency in family that requires the absence of the student, the death of family member, a recognized religious holiday, a mandatory court appearance, a family trip or a medical/dental appointment. The code also establishes out how the student’s school will respond after a certain amount of absences to see what the issue is and if accommodations may be made. It lays out a timeline that details at what point a teacher, counselor or administrator will reach out to the family of the student to see if assistance may be required such as see SCHOOL page 9A
PHS alum Goode on road to recovery By Laura McFarland News Editor
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – A Powhatan County grand jury last week indicted a Jetersville man for his role in a fight over a fishing spot that ended with a Powhatan man stabbed in the head. Jesse Ray Moore, 25, of Jetersville is charged with the aggravated malicious wounding of Norris Goode Jr., 21, of Powhatan, a second-degree felony that carries a possible sentencing of 20 years to life in prison if convicted. A charge of aggravated malicious wounding is still pending against Jesse Moore’s brother, Jacob Moore, 21, of Powhatan, who was also involved in the fight but has
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Norris Goode Jr., center, of Powhatan, shown with his mother Rebecca Parker and brother Isaiah Goode, is recovering after a knife wound to the head.
agreed to testify against his older sibling. The aggravated malicious wounding charge against the two men speaks to intent to harm and the severity of the wounds, said Rob Cerullo, deputy commonwealth’s attorney. The charges the Moore brothers face stem from a fight that occurred on April 17 when the brothers allegedly challenged Goode’s right to use a pond on Huguenot Springs Road to fish, he said. Cerullo said that although the two suspects are white and the victim is black, race hasn’t been a factor in the case because everyone involved, including Goode, has said it was not an issue in the incident. see GOODE page 3A
Church to offer supplies to help with back to school By Laura McFarland POWHATAN – The cost of outfitting children with clothes and school supplies can become a big burden for parents, and one Powhatan-based church wants to help lighten the load. Family Worship Center will hold its fifth annual Back-toSchool Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 in front of Country Living Homes, 2504 Anderson Highway. The church will be giving away 150 backpacks filled with school supplies on a first come, first served basis, said Susan 2015 FILE HOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND McCord, who is organizing the Family Worship Center’s Backevent. to-School Giveaway will feature see CHURCH page 6A backpacks filled with school sup-
Lonesome Dove event beats heat By Laura McFarland News Editor
POWHATAN – Blistering heat dampened attendance at Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center’s first Veteran’s Appreciation event, but it didn’t keep those who came out from having a good time. The fundraiser for Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center (LDEC) drew a few hundred people out throughout the day to enjoy music, games, food and opportunities to honor veterans on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Village Meadow, executive director and founder Clint Arrington said. The fundraiser brought in more than $3,000 for the nonprofit and also continued to raise awareness for the work it does offering therapeutic horseback rides for veterans, Arrington said. Several tables were set up with information and veterans who served during different American Wars. “We did have some veterans from McGuire Hospital that do come out and ride. They got to see these guys and they got to see the disabilities. It is amazing they can even get on a horse but they will,” he said. The money raised will go toward the nonprofit’s $60,000 annual budget, which leaves little leeway for unforeseen emergencies or needs, he added. Frank Rennie of Powhatan, who retired from the U.S. Navy six years ago, attended with his wife both to hear the performance by the Flashback Band and to honor the veterans LDEC helps. He said he was sorry the heat kept so many people away but he felt it was still a great way to recognize and honor veterans. “I think any time a community, and especially Powhatan, which is now my community, can honor veterans, it is a great event. I am very honored to be part of a community that would pay the tribute that they do to veterans,” Rennie said. see VETERANS page 6A
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News Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Sheriff Brad Nunnally, left, is “arrested” at Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center’s Veterans Appreciation Event. Chief Deputy Adam Sadler led the sheriff in handcuffs to the jail, where he stayed until he was bailed out.
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