Elementary School
 Middle School
 High School

Forms:
Absence/Tardiness Form
Request for Approved Absence Form

Procedure: Parents are required by law to send in a written note explaining the nature of the absence within 3 days of the student’s return. The School Board considers the following conditions in constituting acceptable excuses for absence from school: illness, recovery from an accident, required court attendance, death in the immediate family. If an excuse is not received within three days, the absence will be recorded as Unexcused.

If your child’s absence is expected to be for an extended period of time, please call the Attendance Office, 610.838.7001 extension 3710, to arrange for homework assignments. A student may not participate in any school sponsored after-school activity for any day of absence unless previous arrangements are made with the Principal.

Excessive Absences

• If a student accumulates 7 absences, excused or unexcused, parents will receive a letter of concern.
• If a student accumulates 10 excused or unexcused absences, a second letter will be sent home requiring that any further absences be accompanied by a doctor’s excuse, as per district policy.
• If absences continue without a doctor’s excuse, the absences will be marked unexcused and the district procedure for unexcused absences will be followed.
• After 3 unexcused absences, a student may be referred to a Truancy Intervention Specialist from Northampton County to facilitate a meeting with the district magistrate and school personnel. After 4 unexcused absences a citation is typically filed.

Tardiness

Students who arrive late to school (AFTER 8:50 AM) will be marked tardy. Interruptions detract from the educational program for all students, and parents will be notified if lateness occurs frequently. Disciplinary measures, such as loss of recess and/or after-school detention will be imposed following repeated incidents of tardiness.

Excessive Tardiness

• If a student accumulates 7 tardies,  parents will receive a letter of concern.
• If a student accumulates 10 tardies, the student will receive an after-school detention.
• Incidents of tardiness are cumulative throughout the school year. Missed time may cumulate resulting in unexcused absences causing a citation.

Family Trips

Absences from school for family trips are considered unexcused, unless the trip can be judged educational in nature by the building principal. A Request for Approved Absence Form can be secured from the Attendance Office, District Office or Website. Parents need to inform the teacher of the trip and receive schoolwork that needs to be completed prior to returning to school. The procedure for excused absences will be followed. (See the Attendance and Absence Procedure).

Doctor Appointments

Parents wishing to have their child excused during the school hours for a medical or dental appointment should send a note to the classroom teacher stating the time and reason for dismissal. The student must be signed out at the Attendance Office. Children will only be released to the custody of their parents or the child’s designated caretaker.

Please contact the Attendance Office, 610.838.7001 extension 3710, or your child's school should you have any additional questions.