Attendance Information

• When a student will be absent, notification should be provided to the school before or at the start of the school day, when possible.
• To excuse an absence, written or electronic communication citing the reason(s) for the absence must be provided to the school no more than five school days following the date of the absence. 

How to report an absence

• Absences can be reported in ParentVUE the same day of the absence.

• If your child will be absent from school, please notify the Attendance Office as soon as possible. When reporting an absence, please provide:

  • Student's full name
  • Teacher's name
  • Date(s) of absence
  • Reason for the absence

  **Documentation may be required for certain absences in accordance with PWCS attendance procedures. If your child is absent due to a medical appointment, please submit a doctor's note upon their return to school.

• Students who are not in their classroom by 9:20 a.m. will be marked tardy.
• Students who are not in their classroom by the start of each class period throughout the say will be marked tardy.
• A student's tardy will be recorded as excused or unexcused based on whether the reason for the late arrival meets the excused or unexcused absence criteria outlined in the PWCS Attendance Guidelines.

How to report an excused tardy

• Students arriving after the start of the school day are considered tardy.
• For the safety and security of all students, a parent or guardian must accompany the student into the building and sign them in at the main office before the student reports to class.
• After signing in, students must obtain a tardy slip from the office before reporting to their classroom. If a student arrives late due to a delayed bus, the tardy slip will indicate the reason for the tardy.
• If the tardy is due to a medical appointment or another excused reason, please provide documentation to the office upon arrival. Documentation may be required for the tardy to be considered excused.
• Please note that excessive tardiness may require administrative attention.

• Parents/guardians or authorized emergency contacts may check students out of school early when necessary. To ensure student safety, students will only be released to individuals listed on the student's emergency contact information.

  Please note the following procedures:

  • Early dismissals are not permitted after 3:15 p.m.
  • A parent/guardian or authorized emergency contact must report to the main office and sign the student out.
  • A valid photo ID may be requested.
  • Students will remain in class until the authorized adult arrives at the school. The office will notify the teacher, and the student will be sent to the office for dismissal.
  • If you know in advance that your child will need to leave early, please send a written note to school that morning so staff can prepare for the dismissal.
  • Requests for early dismissal may require verification through notes, phone calls, or other forms of authorization.

  Excessive early dismissals may require administrative review, as frequent absences from class can impact student learning and academic progress.

Attendance Expectations

Regular attendance is essential for student success. Students are expected to attend school every day and arrive on time, ready to learn.

Parent Communication

Parents/guardians are encouraged to notify the school as soon as possible when a student will be absent. Prompt communication helps ensure accurate attendance records and allows staff to support student learning.

Make-Up Work

Students who are absent are responsible for completing missed assignments. Families should communicate with the classroom teacher regarding make-up work and instructional materials.

Vacation and Extended Absences

Families should notify the school in advance of any planned extended absences. Assignments may not always be available before an absence, and missed instruction cannot always be replicated.

Attendance Records

Parents/guardians should regularly review attendance information through ParentVUE and contact the school if they believe an attendance record is inaccurate.

Excessive Absences, Tardies, or Early Dismissals

Frequent absences, tardiness, or early dismissals can negatively impact student learning and academic progress. Patterns of excessive attendance concerns may require administrative follow-up and intervention.

Change in Transportation

Transportation changes should be communicated to the school in writing and approved according to school procedures. Attendance and dismissal procedures are designed to ensure student safety.