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Attendance Policies

To receive maximum benefit of the instructional program, children need to attend regularly. Occasionally, however, illness or other legitimate reasons necessitate that a child misses school:

Absence

  • Parents must call school by 9 a.m. each day their child is absent. If we do not receive a call by 9 a.m., the building secretary will attempt to contact you to make certain that you are aware your child is absent from school. 
  • Upon returning to school, students will receive an excuse card that the parent of guardian must complete, sign, and return to school. 
  • Absences for which excuse cards are not returned with 10 days will be recorded as unexcused absences.
  • A child who reports after 10 a.m. or leaves before 2 p.m. will be considered absent for one half day. 

Excused Absences

Reasons for excused absences include illness, death in the family, family emergency, and educational trips. Absences for educational trips will only be excused with prior approval from the building principal upon receipt of the Trip Request form. The necessary Trip Request form is available in each school office and on the school website. A note to the teacher requesting that work be sent along with a child should be received at least one week prior to the trip.  Please Note: The maximum number of days absent permitted under this policy is five (5) days per year. Absences for educational trips during the first or last five school days will be unexcused. Exceptions to these provisions will be granted by the Superintendent only under exceptional extenuating circumstances. 

Tardy

Students who arrive between 8:55 a.m. and 10 a.m. will be considered tardy, as will students who leave after 2 p.m. 

Excuse Cards

Excuse cards are needed for each absence, even if the absence is a partial day for a doctor or dentist appointment. Since the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires excuse cards for all excused absences, we are forced to mark absences without excuse cards as unexcused, regardless of the reason. Please complete an excuse card and return it as soon as your child returns to school. Cards are available in the school office and on the website.