Attendance Policy
Effective immediately, all elementary students must submit a written, signed, and dated excuse to the homeroom teacher no later than 3 calendar days following the absence. All absences will be treated as unexcused/illegal (except for pre-approved vacations) until a written excuse is provided. Please see the Elementary Student Handbook (below) for additional attendance details.
Effective at the beginning of the 2013 - 2014 school year: To ensure the safety of our students, parents will be notified by phone if their child is absent from school.
Regular attendance is essential to a student's success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem
The following circumstances are the only recognized excuses for school absence:
Effective at the beginning of the 2013 - 2014 school year: To ensure the safety of our students, parents will be notified by phone if their child is absent from school.
Regular attendance is essential to a student's success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem
The following circumstances are the only recognized excuses for school absence:
- Personal illness
- Death in the immediate family
- Religious holiday
Upon returning to school after an absence, a student should bring a signed excuse from a doctor, if under doctor's care, or an excuse signed by a parent or guardian. this excuse should include the number of days absent and an explicit reason for the absence. This is helpful in our office records. Moreover, such excuses are required by Pennsylvania School Law.
As directed by school policy, parents of any student who has missed 8 days of school will receive a letter of notification concerning absenteeism. When a student misses 10 days of school, a second letter noting these absences will be sent home. At this point, all subsequent absences must be accompanied by a doctor's excuse. Again, this policy is in accordance with Pennsylvania School Law. In addition, school districts have discretionary right to set standards.
As directed by school policy, parents of any student who has missed 8 days of school will receive a letter of notification concerning absenteeism. When a student misses 10 days of school, a second letter noting these absences will be sent home. At this point, all subsequent absences must be accompanied by a doctor's excuse. Again, this policy is in accordance with Pennsylvania School Law. In addition, school districts have discretionary right to set standards.
Unlawful (Illegal) Absences
Unexcused absences are unlawful absences for all children of compulsory school age.
All absences are unlawful until an excuse has been given to the teacher explaining the reason for the absence.
If compulsory school attendance laws are violated and absenteeism persists, the parent/guardian is subject to arrest and a fine or jail sentence.
Parents will be informed in writing (sent US Regular Mail) when students of compulsory age (16 or under) accumulate illegal absences at the following points:
First illegal absence: A courtesy letter will be sent outlining the attendance enforcement polices for compulsory aged students.
Third illegal absence: A required notice will be sent to parents outlining the attendance enforcement procedures for additional illegal absences including a statement that additional illegal absences can result in citations against parents and/or students can be filed at the local magistrate for violating the compulsory attendance laws of the Commonwealth.
Fourth illegal absence: A Truancy Elimination Plan (TEP) will be developed between the school and student, and every reasonable effort will be made to include the parent in the development of the TEP. The completed TEP will be provided to parents by Regular US Mail.
Fifth illegal absence: A citation will be issued against the parent at the local magistrate office.
Sixth illegal and every illegal absence after: Referral to the magistrate and to Indiana County Children and Youth Services.