Attendance and Lateness

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is an important part of every student’s success and is necessary in order to gain the greatest benefit from the educational experience. Students who are frequently absent from school miss direct instruction and regular contact with their teachers. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law and School Board policy require regular daily attendance. When absences accumulate, it may ultimately result in academic difficulty.

Absences not recorded via the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival System during the specified timeframe shall be treated as unlawful until the school receives a written excuse explaining the absence. Parents and guardians have 5 days after an absence to submit a written note. A maximum of 10 cumulative, lawful absences shall be permitted during the school year. Request for excusal of absences after 10 lawful absences require a written physician’s note.

An unlawful absence shall be defined as an event in which a student is absent without a valid, acceptable physician’s note after the 10 lawful days policy. A student is considered habitually truant when he or she accumulates 6 or more unlawful absences.

A letter will be sent home if a child accumulates 3 or more unlawful absences documenting truancy. If a child accumulates 6 or more unlawful absences, the school will be required Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP). Continuous absences will include a citation/referral for truancy court.

Please refer to Penn-Delco’s Attendance Policy 204 and go to the District Attendance section of the website for more information.

Absence notification

If your child is going to be absent, you must use the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival System by 9:25 AM. If your child is marked absent and no call is received, an automated caller will call your primary number to verify the absence. If no explanation is given via the system by 11am, you must supply an electronic absence note. Please leave the child’s full name, grade, homeroom, and reason for absence. The note must be received within 5 days of the absence. Go to pdsd.org/attendance for full information about reporting absences.

Early Dismissal

It is expected that all efforts be made to schedule appointments during non-school hours. However, it is also understood that events occur for which we are unable to prepare. If an early dismissal is needed, a report can be made in the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival System or by using an electronic absence note. The note should contain the parent’s phone number, time and date of dismissal, and the reason for the dismissal.

Lateness

Vacations

Vacations should not be planned when school is in session. If a vacation during the school year cannot be avoided, it cannot be considered an excused absence unless requested in writing and pre-approved by the principal. Vacations for students in grades 3, 4, or 5 will not be approved one week before or during the PSSA testing window. The district will approve up to 5 vacation days per student per year. Students will be required to make up classroom work within five days of the student’s return unless other arrangements are made with the teacher.

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