Absences and Tardiness

Pennsylvania state law requires that whenever your child is absent or late, you must provide a note explaining the reason.  Please send this note on the first day your child returns to school.  The attendance clerk must have this note within three days of your child’s return to school to be considered an excused absence.   In the absence of a note within three days, the absence automatically becomes recorded as unexcused.  Three unexcused absences will result in a first notice and a truancy elimination conference. Subsequent unexcused absences will result in a court summons.  A doctor’s note is required after three consecutive days of absence.

 If your child is going to be absent, please call the school’s attendance line, ext. 7231, and leave your child’s name, teacher’s name, and reason for the absence.  Your call to the school is an important part of communication between home and school. Important: Every absence requires a note and a phone call to the school.  The school will send an automated message confirming your child’s absence, even if you called. 

 The School Board considers the following conditions to constitute reasonable cause for absence from school:

• Illness, quarantine

• Recovery from injury

• Required court attendance

• Death in the family

• Religious observations

• Family educational trips