Tappahannock Elementary and James H. Cary Intermediate School

Title I Schoolwide Program

2026-2027 School Year

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Tappahannock Elementary School and James H. Cary Intermediate School are Title I schoolwide programs. The purpose of Title I is to provide all children significant opportunities to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. Title I funds are used to directly impact student achievement by providing additional services that increase the amount and quality of instructional time; providing students with an enriched and accelerated academic program; significantly elevating the quality of instruction; and, affording parents substantial and meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.

This letter serves as your Parents Right to Know Notification regarding our Title I schoolwide programs and will detail each of the rights and responsibilities afforded to you as parent or guardian of a student in an Essex County Public School receiving federal Title I funds.

Right to Request Information on Teacher Qualifications As Required Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended: On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law. Section 1112(e)(1)(A) states that as a parent of a student receiving Title I funds, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers instructing your child. Federal law requires the school division to provide you with this information in a timely manner if you request it.  Specifically, you have the right to request the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status because of special circumstances.

• Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification or degree he/she received.

• Whether paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if so, their qualifications.

Essex County Public Schools is committed to providing quality instruction for all students and does so by employing the most properly licensed and endorsed individuals to teach and support each student. If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact the Essex County Coordinator of Human Resources, either by phone at (804) 443-4366 or in writing at Essex County Public Schools, P.O. Box 756, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560.

Parental Notification of Assessment Opt-Out Policies under Section 1112(e)(2) of The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA): Section 1112(e)(2) of ESSA states that parents of students in Title I schools have a right to know about state or division policies regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by ESSA, including any policy, procedure, or parental right to opt students out of such assessments. If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact Doranda Scott, Assistant Superintendent, either by phone at (804) 443-4366 or in writing at Essex County Public Schools, P.O. Box 756, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560.

School Quality Profile: Federal law and state procedures provide you with access to information about your child’s school through the Virginia School Quality Profile. The Virginia School Quality Profile provides information on teacher quality and education, student assessment, school enrollment, accountability (accreditation), learning climate, and division per pupil finances for the state as a whole and for individual schools.  The school quality profile can be accessed at the Virginia Department of Education website at http://schoolquality.virginia.gov/. School quality reports are also available at each school.

Parental Involvement: Parents and guardians of students in Title I schools are highly encouraged to participate actively in their child’s education by serving on the school improvement committee, attending school events, and supporting student success through activities in the home.  The attached Title I Parent Compact describes how parents and educators can work together for the success of every student.  Please review and sign the attached Title I Parent Compact and return it to your student’s school. This agreement serves as your consent to provide educational programming to meet your student’s needs.

Essex County Public Schools is committed to keeping parents and families informed by maintaining open communication. For additional information about Title I programs, please feel free to contact me or your child’s principal.  

Respectfully,

Dr. Stephanie Bassett,  Director of Human Resources

Enclosure: Title I Compact

c:         Mr. Rashaad Pitt , Principal [Tappahannock Elementary School, (804) 443-5301]

            Dr. Dana Hawes, Principal [James H. Cary Intermediate School, (804) 443-3040]

            Ms. Pamela Bell, Interim Superintendent

rev: July 2026