Click Here to Complete the Absence Form

Remember, you must be logged into your PA Virtual Parent Email Account to view the form

If you are requesting an Educational Trip for a future absence, please complete the Educational Trip Form.

Remember, daily attendance is the most critical aspect of a student's academic success!

Absence Notification

To ensure a successful start to the school day, it is recommended that all students log into Blackboard by 8:30 a.m. This allows students to access announcements, prepare for instruction, and begin their daily learning activities on time. If your student will be absent or unable to log into Blackboard, please notify your Family Support Coordinator (FSC) as soon as possible by completing the Absence Excuse Form or contacting your FSC directly. If an absence has not been reported, PA Virtual will send provisional attendance notifications to the parent or Learning Coach Around 10:00 a.m. and again around 2:00 p.m., if an absence has not yet been reported.

Notifications may be sent by automated phone call, text message, and email. These notifications are provisional and serve as a reminder to report your student's absence. Once documentation is received and reviewed, the student's attendance record will be updated, when appropriate.

If your student has a communicable illness (such as chickenpox or measles), please notify the school nurse as soon as possible.

Excused Absences

Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School recognizes the following as valid excuses for absence of a student from school provided satisfactory evidence or documentation for the excuse is provided to the student’s Family Support Coordinator:

• Death in the Immediate Family

• Medical or Dental Appointments (Emergency)

• Illness or Injury

• Quarantine (student or family member is required to be isolated within the home)

• Court or Administrative Proceedings

• Family emergency- family emergencies shall be strictly construed and do not permit irregular attendance.

• Observance of a Religious Holiday- PA Code § 11.21: Upon written parental request, a student shall be excused from school to attend classes for religious instruction under section 1546 of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § 15-1546). The excusal shall be limited to a total of not more than 36 hours per school year.

• Educational Opportunities or Family Educational Trips:  An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated that the purpose of the absence is to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity.  Approval for such an absence must be granted prior to the absence in accordance with the Student Educational Leave of Absence Policy.

Please Note:

• Up to ten (10) absences verified by parent or Learning Coach notification may be accepted during a school year. After ten (10) cumulative absences, PA Virtual may require medical documentation to excuse additional illness-related absences.

• If a student is absent due to illness for three (3) or more consecutive school days, PA Virtual administration may request a physician's note.

• Absence excuses must be submitted within three (3) school days of the student's return. If acceptable documentation is not received within this timeframe, the absence may be recorded as unexcused or unlawful.

• Students with ongoing attendance concerns may be supported through PA Virtual's Tiered Attendance Intervention Process, which may include attendance conferences, implementation of a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP), attendance coaching sessions, individualized supports, and additional interventions as appropriate.

• Under Pennsylvania compulsory attendance law, students who accumulate three (3) unexcused or unlawful absences may be considered Truant, and students who accumulate six (6) unexcused or unlawful absences may be considered Habitually Truant. PA Virtual will follow all applicable state laws and school procedures, including providing required notices and implementing attendance interventions.

Internet, Power, or Technical Issues

Families should have a contingency plan in place in the event of internet, power, or computer issues that may prevent a student from attending school. Whenever possible, families should identify an alternate location with reliable internet access, such as:

• A local library

• A trusted friend or family member's home

• Another safe location with internet access

If your student is unable to attend school due to a power outage, internet outage, or technical issue, please notify your Family Support Coordinator (FSC) as soon as possible and submit an Absence Excuse Form.

School-Issued Chromebook or Technical Issues

If your student is unable to attend due to a school-issued Chromebook or other technical issue:

1. Contact Technical Support at (877) 883-3653 to troubleshoot the issue and obtain a Technical Support ticket number.

2. Complete the Absence Excuse Form or contact your Family Support Coordinator (FSC) and provide the Technical Support ticket number.

Verified technical issues will be reviewed, and attendance will be adjusted when appropriate.

Check your child's daily attendance anytime in the Sapphire Portal!