Cumberland Valley's attendance policy is outlined in Board Docs under the policy section (Policy 204). 

The goal of the attendance policy

To ensure students are present for instruction and peer interaction

We recognize that students may need to be off school for many reasons. This page will explain the attendance allowances and procedures.

Allowances/Explanations

10 Parent notes-Each year parents/guardians can use a "parent note" excuse in any 10 days that need to be taken off, provided the note is turned in within 3 school days of the absence and the reason is one of the following: Illness, family emergencies, religious holidays.

Unlimited Dentist/Doctor's notes-Doctor's notes do not count against the 10 parent notes because they are categorized differently

Educational Trips-Each year a student can take a total of 5 educational trip days. The days can be split into no more than 2 different trips. (i.e. Trip 1 is 5 days and no second trip, Trip 1 is 4 days and Trip 2 is 1 day, etc.). Educational trips need to be pre-approved and an educational trip form must be completed/submitted and approved for the absences to be marked as excused. Educational Trips do not count against your 10 days of parent notes.

Two Hour Standard

A half-day absence shall be recorded if a student arrives two hours after the school start time, leaves two hours before the school end time, or is absent for any two-hour period during the day.

Parent Dismissals

If a parent removes a student from school due to illness or other reasons without a nurse dismissal or dismissed by a principal/counselor, the time missed will be unexcused.

Educational Trip Tips

• No educational trips will be approved during the PSSA window. (The window includes make-up days) Grades 3-5 only

• Each student can take 5 educational trip days each year.

• The 5 days can be taken in one trip or no more than two trips.

• The form will need to be completed and turned in at least a week in advance to the office-Neglecting to gain prior approval for the educational trip may result in the recording of unexcused daily absences for those days absent.

• Do not count your 10 parent notes

Please Note

1. Educational trips will not be approved during PSSA, Keystone, midterm or final testing periods.

2. We do not encourage families to take educational trips the first or last ten days of school but understand that this may occur.

• Educational trips shall only be approved absences during the first or last ten (10) school days, if the following criteria are met:

• The parent/guardian must consult with the student’s principal and/or teacher(s) and prepare a written plan outlining how the student will gain important understanding and complete required assignments. The parent/guardian’s written plan must be attached to the educational trip request submitted one week prior to the trip.

• If applicable, the parent/guardian must ensure all end-of-school-year obligations are met such as: returning all texts and school property, payment of library fines and the student must clean out his/her locker or desk.

Extended Trip Instructions

A student will be permitted to take not more than two educational trips per school year, not to exceed a total of five school days. Days over the five-day limit will be recorded as unlawful. Trips resulting in ten or more consecutive unlawful days will require the parent/guardian to withdraw the student before the trip and re-register prior to his/her return to school. An administrator and the family may decide that a combination of educational trip days and other excused or unexcused/unlawful absences may be applied depending on the nature of the trip.

Trips that will not require 10 or more consecutive unlawful absences

(Example: 14 day trip would use 5 educational trip days plus 9 unlawful days)

Submit an Educational Trip Request prior to the trip/event. Forms are available in the main office or here. You may attach the completed form to the Skyward attendance request, email it directly to WCAttendance@cvschools.org or send the completed form to school with your child. An approved copy will be sent to the guardian email listed in Skyward. Trips taken without prior principal approval could result in unlawful absences.

Take Your Child to Work events, non-school sponsored sports, and music/dance/theatre performances require an approved Educational Trip Request for the absences to be excused.

Trips that would require 10 or more consecutive unlawful absences

The withdrawal form is available in the main office. Online re-registration can be done at cvschools.org > About Us > Central Registration

The student is required to turn in their ipad/Chromebook and charger while withdrawn. When the student returns, they will return to their previous homeroom.

Unexcused/Unlawful Absences

Absences from school with parents' consent for reasons other than those considered excusable or no notes are turned in after and absence

Unexcused/unlawful count against your parent note count

4 unexcused/unlawful absences will prompt a School Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC) to develop a School Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) with the Assistant Principal. 

Continued unexcused/unlawful after the SAIC may result in a Children and Youth referral or a referral to the Magisterial District Judge

Please reach out to Mrs. Stanford with any questions or support you may need with attendance-related items.