Back to School Newsletter

Welcome back to a brand-new school year! We are so excited to kick off an amazing year of learning, growth, and community for our TVS High School Panthers. Please read this newsletter for key dates, important updates, and tips to help both students and parents start the year strong and feel ready for success.

As we dive into the school year, we want to let families know that the High School Office and Middle School Office now operate separately.

To help us assist you as quickly and efficiently as possible, please make sure you are contacting the specific office that applies to your student:

• Middle School Office: 937-839-4165–For attendance, early dismissals, or questions regarding students in grades [5-8].

• High School Office: 937-839-4693– For attendance, early dismissals, or questions regarding students in grades [9-12].

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep our daily operations running smoothly!

To enhance the safety and security of our school community, TVS is introducing a mandatory new entry procedure for all visitors, students, and parents arriving during the school day.

Effective immediately for the 2026/2027 school year, the high school office exterior entry door (#21), will remain securely locked at all times.

How to Enter the Building:

• Locate the Intercom: A new video intercom system is mounted next to the entrance doors.
• Press the Button: Press the main button on the intercom once to alert the front office.
• Identify Yourself: Look directly into the camera, state your name, and share the purpose of your visit.
• Wait for Assistance: A staff member will verify your identity and remotely unlock the door to grant you access. Please use the door on the far left closest to the intercom.

Please allow a few extra moments during morning drop-offs or afternoon pickups as we transition to this secure check-in system. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our school safe!

BUILDING OPENING TIME: Doors open for students at 7:15 AM.

To ensure student safety, staff supervision is only provided at specific entrances. Students must exclusively use the doors designated for their mode of transportation:

• Bus Riders: Enter and exit through the West Doors (located south of the Media Center).
• Drivers & Drop-offs: Use the North Activities Center doors for both entering and leaving the building.
• Walkers:
• Arrival: Enter through the Office Doors (#21) or the North Activities Center doors.
• Dismissal: Exit through the Third Street doors (between the art room and auditorium), the North Activities Center doors, or the Office Doors.
• Bicyclists: Park your bike in the racks by the North Activity Center, and enter through the Activity Center doors.

DURING THE SCHOOL DAY (Late Arrivals & Visitors)

• Visitors: Please park in the visitor lot on the west side of the school and enter at door #21.
• Late Student Drivers: You must park in the overflow lot by the practice soccer fields and enter through the high school office doors (#21)
• Late Walkers/Drop-offs: Please get dropped off at the high school office doors (#21) to check in.

Reminder: For safety and supervision reasons, no other doors may be used at anytime. Thank you for your cooperation!

Student parking permits are now available for purchase in the High School Office!

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Cost: $5.00

• Requirements:

  • Students must hold a valid driver's license at the time of purchase.

  • A completed parking permit form, signed by both the student and a parent/guardian, is required.

Where to find the form: You can download and print the form directly from the school website or pick up a physical copy in the High School Office.

• It is important for parents to update Final Forms to include any changes in transportation, especially when busing is needed.
• Parents will receive a phone call from their student's bus driver on Thursday, August 13 regarding pick up and drop off times. If you do not receive a call please call the HS office at 937-839-4693.

Regular school attendance is critical for your child's academic success. Please review the following important updates regarding our reporting procedures and state legal compliance.

HOW TO REPORT AND ABSENCE

Parents or guardians must report their child's absence as soon as possible in the morning by contacting the appropriate office:

• Email: Send to eutsinger@tvs.k12.oh.us
• High School Phone: Call 937-839-4693.
• ParentSquare: send to Mrs. Utsinger

AUTOMATED ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATIONS

Reminder that our district sends an automated attendance notification to parents notifying them of their student's absence.

• 8:15 AM Cutoff: If the office has not received notice of an absence before 8:15 AM, you will automatically receive an alert via text and email through ParentSquare.
• Action Required: Please use the built-in option in ParentSquare to enter the specific reason for your child's absence.
• Follow-up Call: If you do not respond to the ParentSquare alert, a school secretary will call you directly.
• Unexcused Absences: If the school receives no communication from a parent or guardian, the student's absence will legally be marked Unexcused. Only a parent or guardian can excuse an absence. Students cannot call themselves in, even if they are over 18 and living at home.

OHIO STATE ATTENDANCE LAWS UPDATE(ORC 3313.48)

Under Ohio's attendance law (ORC 3313.48), public school districts track lost time by hours rather than days, focusing heavily on early intervention for chronic absenteeism.

• All Hours Count: The state now monitors total instructional time lost. This means all hours missed—whether excused, unexcused, medical, or religious—count toward a student's total missed hours for the school year.
• Parent Notifications: By law, districts must formally notify parents when a student misses 5% of the minimum school year hours (roughly 7 to 8 total days) for any reason.
• Chronic Absenteeism: A student is designated as chronically absent once they miss 10% or more of the required school year hours (18 school days).

TVS ABSENCE LIMITS AND DOCUMENTATION

• Parent Notes: Parents/guardians may excuse up to ten (10) absences per school year without being asked to provide formal documentation.
• 48-Hour Grace Period: Parents must excuse a reported absence within 48 hours of the day missed. Attendance corrections will only be processed up to two weeks prior to the current date.
• Medical / Dental Appointments: To limit the impact on your student's attendance hours, we ask that medical appointments be scheduled during early morning or late afternoon hours when possible.

  
  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is my student considered late to school?

A student is marked Tardy if they are not in their classroom by the 7:30 AM bell, or if they arrive at school anytime between 7:30 AM and 8:40 AM. Late students must enter through the office doors to obtain a pass. Parents do not need to come inside to drop off a late student.

What if a student needs to leave school early?

Please arrange early dismissals with the office secretaries in advance whenever possible.

• Students are excused when a parent calls or emails.
• Alternate Check-outs: If someone other than a parent/guardian is checking a student out, that individual must be listed in your child's contact information via FinalForms.

What if my student will miss multiple consecutive days?

Students must pick up a Prearranged Absence Form from the office or download it from the TVS website.

• This form requires signatures from a parent/guardian and all of the student's teachers.
• Completed forms must be returned to the office for final administrator approval.
• Juniors and seniors must use this exact same form for college visits.
• Note: It is the student's responsibility to notify teachers and complete all assignments missed during a prearranged absence.

Parents and guardians can pay student fees using any of the following methods:

• In Person: Bring cash or a check directly to the school office.

• By Mail: Send a check payment to the school’s mailing address.

• Online: Pay via PaySchools (please note that online payments incur a small convenience fee).

If you do not already have a PaySchools account, please follow these steps:

1. Access PaySchools Central: You can access this from the TVS website or download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
2. Create an Account (First-Time Users):

• On the PaySchools Central homepage or app, select the "Register" option.
• Fill out the required profile details, including your name, address, phone number, and email address.
• You'll receive a confirmation email with a link to activate your account and set your password. This link is usually valid for a limited time (e.g., 30 minutes), so complete this step promptly.
• It's recommended to add a mobile number for easier password resets.

3. Add Your Children to Your Account:

• Locate the "Add/View Student" or "Your Students"
• You will need your child's student ID number (student lunch code). This is crucial for linking their fees and accounts correctly. If you don't know it, contact the school office.
• Enter their first name, last name, and your relationship to the student.
• Repeat this process for all your children attending schools that use PaySchools Central. You can manage multiple children from a single parent account.

• You can store payment methods for future use or opt for guest checkout when needed.
• PaySchools typically accepts:
• Credit/Debit Cards: Mastercard, Visa, etc.
• ACH (Automated Clearing House) / e-check: This pulls funds directly from your bank account.
• Enter your credit card or bank account information securely. PaySchools is PCI-compliant and uses SSL certificates to ensure data security.

• From your dashboard, you'll typically see a list of your linked students.
• Look for an option like "All Fees" or a "Fees" card associated with your child's profile.
• You will see a list of assigned fees for each student.
• To pay a specific fee, click on the shopping cart icon next to it and select "Add To Cart."
• Once you've added all the fees you want to pay to your cart, click on the shopping cart icon
• Review the items in your cart.
• Select your preferred payment method from the ones you've stored or choose guest checkout.
• Click "Submit" or "Checkout" to complete the transaction.
• You will receive a confirmation page (which you can print) and a confirmation email with details of your transaction.

As we get closer to the beginning of the 2026/27 school year, we're kindly asking all families to review and complete your student’s Final Forms. These forms are essential for student enrollment, emergency contacts, medical information, and more.

You can easily access the forms via our online portal: https://twinvalley-oh.finalforms.com/. We understand life gets busy, so please take a moment to get these done at your earliest convenience. Please remember the forms are not fully updated until ALL forms turn GREEN!

If you encounter any issues or have questions while completing the forms, please reach out to the TVS office staff.

• School Website: www.tvs.k12.oh.us; from their you can access the district calendar, athletic calendar.
• School Social Media Handles:

• Facebook (Twin Valley Community Local School District)
• Instagram (twinvalleyschools)
• ParentSquare/StudentSquare: ParentSquare allows teachers, staff, and coaches to communicate and engage with families and students. We encourage all students and parents to download the app. Messages will be received via text message and/or email.
• It is crucial that MVCTC students download the app or check their TVS email often as to not miss out on important information and events at TVS.

If your student needs to take prescription or over the counter medication (ie: ibuprofen, tylenol, Tums, etc.), a "request for administering medication" form MUST be filled out and signed by a doctor for each medication. This form can be found on the school website or in our office.

The Ohio Dept. of Health requires all students entering the 12th grade to the second dose of the meningococcal vaccine. Documentation of receiving this immunization will be required to begin school and avoid exclusion. If you require a waiver form, please contact the school office. Please turn in all documentation to the school.

Breakfast and lunch are available daily to all students for FREE for the 2026/27 school year! This is provided through a USDA-sponsored program. As in previous years, all a la carte options are still available for purchase.

For students who choose to purchase a la carte food items in the cafeteria, you can choose to add money to your student's account balance online using your PaySchools account or pay with cash.

The menus are accessible online at Food Service Menus. The menus can also be emailed to you. From the Food Service page on the TVS website, click on "Going Green Menus" on the upper left corner of the page and follow the prompts.