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Panther Valley School District

Every Panther is Connected

Student Attendance

Did you know that school attendance is the leading indicator of your child’s lifelong success?

Attendance at Panther Valley

At Panther Valley School District, we believe that Every Panther is Connected, and regular school attendance is one of the most important connections a student can make. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve academic success, build positive relationships, participate in extracurricular activities, and develop the skills necessary for future success. We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits and to provide support when barriers to attendance arise.

Excused versus Illegal Absences

Pennsylvania law recognizes that students may occasionally need to miss school for legitimate reasons. Understanding the difference between excused and illegal absences helps ensure that students remain in compliance with compulsory attendance requirements.

An excused absence is a lawful absence from school for an approved reason, such as illness, a medical or dental appointment, a family emergency, a death in the family, participation in an approved educational trip, religious observance, or other reasons permitted by the district and Pennsylvania School Code. Parents or guardians must submit a written excuse within the timeframe established by district policy for the absence to be considered excused. In some cases, medical documentation may be required.

An illegal absence occurs when a student is absent from school without a valid excuse recognized by Pennsylvania law or when the required written excuse is not submitted within the district's required timeline. Excessive unlawful absences may result in the district initiating attendance improvement procedures, including a Student Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC), and, if necessary, additional actions in accordance with Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance laws.

Panther Valley School District is committed to working collaboratively with families to promote regular school attendance. If circumstances arise that make it difficult for your child to attend school consistently, we encourage you to contact your child's school so we can work together to identify supports and resources that help every student remain connected to learning.

Reporting an Absence

At Panther Valley we make reporting an absence super easy and convenient. When your child is absent you will receive a text from ParentSquare informing you of their absence. You can click this link to submit your child’s absence excuse. You can also still send in a written note. Just a reminder that absences needed to be submitted within three days of the date of the last absence. Also, those absences that are more than 3 consecutive days require a doctor’s note.

You can email your chld’s doctor’s note to the following emails:

  • PVES:  pvesattendance@panthervalley.org
  • PVIS:  pvisattendance@panthervalley.org
  • PVJSHS:  pvjshsattendance@panthervalley.org

Why Attendance Matters

Academic Achievement

 

Students who attend school regularly build strong academic skills and remain on pace with grade level expectations

Social and Emotional Development

 

Students who attend school reguarly develop positive relationships with teachers and classmates.

Future Success

 

Students who attend school reguarly are better prepared for college, careers, and lifelong success.

How We Can Help

We are here to help you. Let’s be partners in this journey.

We understand that circumstances affecting attendance can vary from family to family. If your child is experiencing challenges that impact regular attendance, we encourage you to contact your child's school. Together, we can identify supports and resources that help every student remain connected to school, engaged in learning, and on the path to success.

If your child is struggling with regular school attendance, don’t wait. Reach out to your child’s school counselor for support as soon as you notice a issue or concern.

Panther Valley School District is committed to helping every student attend school regularly by identifying and addressing barriers to attendance as early as possible. We recognize that attendance challenges can result from a variety of academic, social, emotional, health, or family circumstances, and we believe the best solutions are developed through collaboration with students, families, schools, and community partners.

Depending on a student's individual needs, available supports may include:

  • Student Attendance Improvement Conferences (SAICs) to develop collaborative attendance improvement plans.
  • Student Problem Solving Team meetings to identify barriers and implement targeted interventions.
  • School counselors who provide academic, social, emotional, and attendance related support.
  • Student and Family Success Coordinators who work directly with families to address attendance concerns and connect them with community resources.
  • Community School resources that assist families with food insecurity, clothing, school supplies, transportation challenges, and basic needs.
  • Partnerships with community agencies that provide behavioral health, counseling, mentoring, and family support services.
  • School nurses who assist families in addressing health related barriers to regular attendance.
  • Academic interventions and tutoring to help students regain confidence and remain engaged in learning after absences.
  • Afer school programs, extracurricular activities, athletics, and clubs that help strengthen students' connection to school and encourage regular attendance.

At Panther Valley, we believe that every student's situation is unique. Our goal is to partner with families, identify the underlying causes of attendance concerns, and connect students with the resources they need to attend school consistently, remain engaged in learning, and achieve success.

 

Attendance Tips

Establish Healthy Routines

  • Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine to help your child arrive at school well rested and on time.
  • Prepare backpacks, homework, lunches, and clothing the night before to reduce morning stress.
  • Arrive at the bus stop or school a few minutes early to avoid unnecessary tardiness.

 

Plan Ahead

 

  • Schedule medical, dental, and other appointments outside of the school day whenever possible.
  • Plan vacations and family trips during scheduled school breaks to minimize missed instructional time.
  • Encourage your child to attend school unless they are truly ill or have another excused reason for being absent.

Stay Connected

  • Talk with your child about the importance of attending school every day and maintaining a positive attitude toward learning.
  • Stay connected with your child's teachers and monitor academic progress through ParentSquare and other district communication tools.
  • Celebrate good attendance and recognize your child's efforts to attend school consistently.

 

Ask for Help Early 

  • Contact the school if your family is experiencing challenges that may affect attendance. Our staff can connect you with resources and supports to help address barriers before they become larger concerns.
  • Work with school staff to develop solutions if attendance concerns begin to emerge. Early communication helps us partner with families to support student success.

District Attendance Policy

  • It is important that you contact your child’s school if your child is absent from school. 

    On the day of your student’s absence, you will receive a notification via phone call, text, or email even if the absence has been reported via our district system. Contacting parents and guardians of students who are not in class is an important measure undertaken by the District to ensure the safety of all of our students.

  • All absences are considered unexcused, until the school receives a note or email documenting a valid reason for the absence.  If the reason isn’t valid, the absence is still considered unexcused. If the note isn’t received within 3 days, the absence is considered unexcused. If a note is received within 3 days, the absence may be reclassified as excused. Unexcused absences are considered “unlawful absences” if the student is of compulsory school age.

  • Panther Valley School District recognizes that there may be legitimate reasons for absences, such as illness, family emergencies, or religious observances. Parents/guardians are required to provide documentation to excuse absences. Documentation must be submitted within 3 of days after the absence occurs. 

    A student absence is considered excused under the following circumstances:

    • Illness
    • Family emergency
    • Death of a family member
    • Medical or dental appointment
    • Pre-approved educational travel (not to exceed 5 days)
    • Court hearing
    • Dismissed from school by a school nurse or administrator
    • Care provided by a licensed health care or therapy practitioner

  • Students who miss 19 or more school days, regardless of the reason, are considered chronically absent and may face academic and social challenges. Panther Valley School District is committed to working with families to address chronic absenteeism and support student success. We are committed to your child’s success and we are your partner. Together, we can set your student up for success! 

  • Review the state’s attendance policy, which is what Panther Valley is required to adhere to.
     

We believe that strong partnerships between families and schools are essential for ensuring student success. By working together, we can create a culture of attendance where every student feels motivated and supported to attend school every day.