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    As of 2017-2018 school year, Pennsylvania attendance laws have changed. We, here at DVMS would like to share with you this new information.

    Every student absence requires a written excuse signed by the parent/guardian. The written excuse must include the date(s), the reason for the absence, and bear the signature of the parent/guardian. School administrators will determine if the written note meets the criteria of an excused or unexcused absence. When the student, regardless of age, is absent the parent/guardian must submit a written note on the first day the student returns to school. The parent may also email the excuse note to dvmsattendance@dvsd.org . If the excuse is not presented by the fifth school day, the absence will remain unexcused.

    Any absence beyond 10 cumulative days requires a doctor’s note. The school will offer and implement a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) if a student is truant (Defined as 3 unexcused absences), habitually truant (Defined as 6 unexcused absences) or has excessive absences Defined as a total of 10 absences). Letters such as truancy, excessive absence, and first offense will be mailed home to ensure parent/guardian is properly informed of the student’s attendance record. A SAIP plan will be initiated and consequences outlined below will be discussed with the student and guardian:

    • Student may not receive their allotted educational time and may not be academically successful
    • 10 excused/unexcused absences – may result in the exclusion from attending school sponsored dances. · 10 excused/unexcused absences – may result in exclusion from school sponsored events (e.g. talent show, tournaments, Lip Sync, etc.)
    • 14 excused/unexcused absences – may result in exclusion from participation at Music in the Parks and/or Field Day.
    • 14 excused/unexcused absences – may result in exclusion from participation in end of the year activities, such as Awards Ceremony and/or the 8th grade field trip or BBQ, etc.
    • Student/Family may be cited or fined for unexcused and excessive absences.
    • Pike County Children and Youth Agency will be notified if the student is habitually truant or has been cited for attendance. A student absent from any class is responsible for all missed work. All work should be completed within a reasonable amount of time after the child's absence. Schoolwork for the child may be obtained by calling the homework hotline, by dialing 296-3656, accessing the teacher’s webpage, or the teacher’s voice mail. No student will be excused from physical education class without a written excuse from a parent/guardian and/or doctor.

    Although the above mentioned consequences are implemented to address truancy from a disciplinary perspective, we at the counseling department would also like to work with our families to implement strategies that will help our students attend school more consistently and to provide support. The SAIP is the first step in this process. It begins the conversation to better understand your particular situation and how we can work together for better results. Should you have any questions about the SAIP process or how we at the counseling department can be of help, please do not hesitate to call us at 570-296-1833.

     

    IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR SAIP MEETING PLEASE CONTACT:

    8th grade students-Ryan Chickeletti

    7th grade students-Vivian Bruno

    6th grade students-Kim Palko

                  

     FAQ

    Delaware Valley SD specific:

    Can a student come to school late/leave early and still have perfect attendance?

    No.  To be awarded with Perfect Attendance the student must come to school every day for the full day.

     

    Are vacations considered Excused or Unexcused?

    A student can only get 5 days excused for a vacation.  In order to have those days Excused, the student must bring in a note and have it approved by the principal.