School Attendance

Attendance Expectations

• Virginia state law says students between the ages of 5 and 18 MUST attend school every day that school is in session.  Extenuating circumstances must be communicated to the school, and please be aware that any student accumulating excessive absences for any reason will be subject to intervention that will include family partnership.  

Ways to Report Attendance

• Input into ParentVUE.
  • Directions for inputting attendance through ParentVUE .
  • For absences longer than two (2) days, they will need to be reported with a Pre-Arranged Absence form. More information is listed below.
• Call the 24/7 Attendance line:  703-488-6316
  • Extension 1: Absences
  • Extension 3: Spanish Line

The following information  MUSTbe included when leaving a message. A reason is required for all dismissals and absences.

• Student’s LEGAL first and last name (include spelling on voice mail)
• Student ID number
• Grade
• Date of Absence
• Reason for Absence (if not provided, attendance will not be processed)
• Parent Name and Relationship
• Parent Phone Number for verification
• If reporting an ill student, include symptoms, especially if they have fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and/or cough. If your student has a diagnosis from a healthcare provider, please include that information.

Westfield HS will no longer be accepting handwritten or typed notes for attendance. Please use one of the methods above to excuse your student from school.

Pre-Arranged Absences

To request an approved absence for an unusual reason, including college visits,  a student must submit a  pre-arranged absence form to be completed by their teachers.  

The prearranged absence form must be returned to the appropriate subschool at least two (2) days prior to the absence.  Requests for prearranged absences do not receive automatic approval and may be coded as unexcused.  Please note that absences due to vacations and travel are unexcused.

Early Dismissals

Parents/Guardians may request an early dismissal in any of the following ways:

• Email us at  @email
  • Please include the Name, Student ID, Time of Dismissal, and the Reason.
  • NOTE: The email  MUSToriginate from the  Parent/Guardian email address registered in SIS/ParentVUE. Emails from unrecognized Parent/Guardian email addresses  will not be processed.
• Come to the school Attendance Office in person  (with identification)to check out the student, and prior to 2:30 p.m.  In person dismissals will not be processed after 2:30 p.m.
• Students who are not feeling well should report to the clinic for assessment. Parents will be notified if the clinic determines an early dismissal is necessary.
• Please give the school at least an hour’s notice before picking up your student.

Late Arrivals

• Email us at  @email
  • Please include the Name, Student ID, Time of Dismissal, and the Reason.
  • NOTE: The email  MUSToriginate from the  Parent/Guardian email address registered in SIS/ParentVUE. Emails from unrecognized Parent/Guardian email addresses  will not be processed.
• Call the 24/7 Attendance Line:  703-488-6316
  • Extension 2: Late Arrivals
  • Extension 3: Spanish Line

The following information  MUSTbe included when leaving a message. A reason is required for all dismissals and absences.

• Student’s LEGAL first and last name (include spelling on voice mail)
• Student ID number
• Grade
• Date of Absence
• Reason for Absence (if not provided, attendance will not be processed)
• Parent Name and Relationship
• Parent Phone Number for verification