RICHLAND, Pa. -- School districts across the Alleghenies saw an increase in students missing school, but Richland School District is taking advantage of an online program called PowerSchool to help kids keep up with their lessons.

Richland Technology Director Scott D. Miller said that since the cold and flu season started they've seen an increase in the use of PowerSchool.

Richland Schools started the program almost five years ago.

PowerSchool allows parents and students to check assignments, tests, alerts and gives them a chance to ask teachers questions through e-mail.

Out of a 1,600 school population 95 percent of parents and 98 percent of students use the portal.

School authorities are confident this will help keep school running while their absentee numbers increase.