Attendance

The Board requires that school age students enrolled in District schools attend school regularly, in accordance with state laws. Important highlights of the Pennsylvania School Code that parents should take note include:

• A parent note is required for all absences within three days of the absence. All absences are considered unexcused or unlawful until the school receives a written note, email, or PickUp Patrol note (for elementary and middle school students) documenting a valid reason for the absence. While parents may also call the school to report an absence, a phone call alone is not sufficient to excuse the absence and documentation is needed by the school office staff.
• Within a school year, a student may have a total of 10 illness absences excused with parent notes. After 10 days of illness, a doctor’s note will be required to excuse each illness absence.
• At the high school, if an absence is unlawful or unexcused (i.e., without a parent or doctor's note), the student is not eligible to receive credit for work completed during the absence.

The bullets above are only highlights of the law. Please refer to Policy 204 and its Administrative Guidelines for complete information. Because attendance is a critical piece of student success, our staff is proactive in working with families to understand attendance policies. Should you have questions about the policy and procedures, or have concerns about your child's attendance, please contact your school principal or social worker.