Hi!  I’m Valerie Davenport, the school social worker for  J. Glenn Edwards Elementary  School. This is my 12th year working with Lee County Schools and my first time of ever being based at only one school.  I am so excited for this opportunity to get to know and connect with so many more students and families. 

My role as a school social worker is to identify barriers that may interfere with a student’s ability to reach their full personal potential and academic success.  I also provide a link between school and home, which means I make a lot of phone calls, send a lot of text messages, Dojo messages and emails, as well as making a lot of home visits.  This is all in an effort to help improve the communication between schools and home.  Another important service that I provide is to help families connect with community agencies that may be able to help them in a time of need.  I also provide assistance for student enrollment and provide McKinney Vento servicesfor families that may be displaced from their permanent residence.  

One issue that I frequently talk with parents about is attendance, especially unexcused absences.  Chronic absenteeism (missing more than 17 days in a school year) is a leading cause of poor school performance and a potential drop out indicator. Remember a note from a parent/guardian is required in order for us to excuse any absence and only specific reasons are lawfully allowed for a student to be absent from school.  Please contact me if you have any questions about your child’s school attendance or the North Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law.

I am looking forward to an exciting year at JGE!!!