PMSD Guidance Counselors

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Welcome back. We hope you enjoyed your summer. Now it is time for students to begin learning new skills and acquiring a greater knowledge of our world. The likelihood of student’s success in this task is increased when the school and home form a partnership. A key link in this partnership is the student’s school counselor.

Each school counselor wants to work to make this year as successful as possible for each student. Please call the School counselor if you or your child has any questions about the program of study, adjustment to school, or academic performance.

The school counselor assignments below have been made to help you and your child schedule appointments with counselors. School counselors are available to help you and your child with reviewing records, planning, discussing career opportunities, and evaluating progress. Students should meet regularly with their school counselor.

The Home and School Visitor will act as a liaison between the home and the school. The Home and School Visitor is assigned to help students improve their attendance. If your child will be absent for any extended period of time, three (3) days or more, notify the attendance secretary in the building where your child is registered. Good attendance is a valuable asset and a positive trait for the world of work. Help your child to learn by encouraging him or her to attend school on a regular basis.

Absences of over ten (10) days per year may be excessive, and may require further documentation from the family. The principal may ask for a statement from your physician for excessive absences.

A written excuse for each absence is mandatory. Immediately upon the student’s return, an excuse should be brought to school stating the reason they were absent. Failure to submit a written excuse within three (3) days will result in the absence being declared unexcused, and, where appropriate, unlawful. Once the notice has been issued, where a student continues to accrue unexcused absences, a School Attendance Improvement (SAIC) will be held and the outcome of this conference will be documented in a School Improvement Plan.

Students who accrue six (6) or more unexcused absences are considered “habitually truant” and the district shall take further action, as permitted by law:

• Referral to Attendance Improvement Plan
• Referral to County Children and Youth Agency (CYS)
• Formal filing of a truancy action with the Magisterial District Court

Any student missing more than ten (10) percent of school days across the academic year or 18 days, excused or unexcused, will be counted as chronically absent from Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) reporting of regular attendance. Students of non-compulsory school age should check the student handbook for attendance regulations that pertain to students over seventeen years of age.

If you have any questions, or if we can assist you in an explanation of any of the school’s policies, please phone, write, or visit us at any time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth Robison Superintendent