Home Contact Sitemap

 

ABSENCE DEFINITIONS

There are three types of absences:

  • Exempt - Absences listed directly above,when accompanied by the correct documentation. These absences are not counted when determining whether the student is out of compliance with the state attendance laws, as long as the verification is provided within the three (3) day limit.
  • Non-exempt - Absences which are accompanied with an excuse blank or note from a parent or guardian within three (3) school days of the return to school. These are excused absences, but are counted towards the state attendance laws (18 days).
  • Illegal - An absence which is not accompanied by any kind of an explanation within three (3) school days of the return to school. In addition, a fine of up to $300 a day may be levied by a district justice for excessive illegal days (3 or more).

    • See Act 24 P.S. 13-1327 Compulsory Attendance and Truancy Elimination Plan, State of Pennsylvania

     

    EXEMPT ABSENCES

    • Approved medical or dental appointments
    • Approved educational travel
    • Religious holidays
    • School authorized field trips or activities
    • Suspension from school
    • Approved emergency
    • School related athletic events
    • Personal bereavement

    NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

    1. At the end of each week a report will be run to determine which students have an illegal absence recorded for the previous week. Parents of students whose names appear on the report will be sent a letter informing them of the illegal absence and giving them 5 days to challenge the record (NOTE: not having sent in a document within the three (3) day limit is not a valid reason for a challenge.) This procedure will also apply to illegal absences accumulated on a class by class basis due to arriving late to school.
    2. After 5 days of non-exempt absence, a notice will be issued informing the parent, by mail, of the up-to-date number of non-exempt absences
    3. After 10 days of non-exempt absence, a student conference will be held. This conference is necessary to inform the student of the up-to-date number of non-exempt days of absence. A letter will inform the parent of the conference.
    4. After 15 days of non-exempt absence, another student conference will be held. This conference is necessary to inform the student of the up-to-date number of non-exempt days of absence. A letter, sent registered mail, will inform the parent of the conference.
    5. After 18 days of non-exempt absence, a notice will be issued informing the parent, by registered mail, of their child's impending loss of credit for a course and/or courses. A parent conference will be necessary to inform the parent as to the number of non-exempt days of student absence and also the consequence of additional absences.
    6. After the student has accumulated non-exempt absences beyond the 18 days, the principal will send a notice informing the parent, by registered mail, of their child's loss of credit for a course and/or courses.
    7. (High School Only)* Students who arrive after 7:30 am but before 10:36 am without an excuse for the tardiness are subject to discipline as indicated on page 28. If the student leaves after 10:36 a.m., a full day absence will be recorded.
      In addition to the above procedure, for students 16 years of age and under, a truancy citation may be issued in accordance with Pennsylvania School Code.

    STUDENT PROCEDURES

    1. Have your parent or guardian write a note or fill in an excuse blank, which can be acquired in the main office or on the forms page, including the current date, the date(s) of your absence(s), the reason for the absence, and their signature.
    2. Give your excuse blank or note to the attendance office within three (3) school days of your return to school. It will be dated and signed. After three (3) days, the note will be accepted but not credited. This applies to any and all excuses, including exempt absences and educational travel!!
    NOTE: Attendance is checked with the BCTC daily. On early dismissal days at Brandywine, BCTC students who wish to go home must have a signed permission from on file or they will be disciplined for skipping BCTC and given an illegal absence.

     

    EARLY DISMISSAL

    INDIVIDUAL STUDENT

    If a student must leave school early for an appointment, he/she must present to the office, in the morning before school starts, a written note from his her parent or guardian. The written note must contain the date, time of dismissal, a valid reason for early dismissal, and the signature of the parent or guardian. "PERSONAL REASON" is not a valid reason. Parents may be called if an excuse is in question.

    DISTRICT (PLANNED)

    There are multiple planned early dismissals on the district calendar. On those days, an early dismissal schedule will be followed, lunch will NOT be served, and students will be dismissed by 11:15 am. BCTC students who choose NOT to attend the BCTC on these days must have a signed permission form on file in the office prior to the first early dismissal day. This form will be provided to the students at the beginning of the year.

    DISTRICT (WEATHER RELATED)

    There are times during the year when inclement weather will cause the district to dismiss school before the regular time. Such information will be broadcast on local TV and radio stations, and will also be available on the website.

    SCHOOL CLOSING

    In the event of inclement weather or mechanical breakdown, school may be closed or the starting time delayed. School closing, delayed starting time or early dismissal will be announced over the radio and TV. If no report is heard, it can be assumed that school will be in regular session. Please do not call the school. Telephone lines must be kept open for emergencies. School cancellations may alter the school calendar with respect to required days of attendance.

     

    LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

    INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS

    (High School Only)* Students who arrive after 7:34 am but by 7:45 must sign in the high school office and get a pass from the secretary for admission to first period class. Students who arrive after 7:45 am must sign in and will be assigned to a study hall until first period is over. Students who sign in later in the day will be assigned to a study hall for the remainder of the period they arrive in, subject to administrative discretion. Students arriving after 10:39 a.m. will be responsible for a full day excuse blank. Students who report late without an acceptable excuse will be subject to discipline as outlined in the discipline policy. See page 29, # 3.

    DISTRICT (WEATHER RELATED)

    There are times during the year when inclement weather will cause the district to delay the start of school. Such information will be broadcast on local TV and radio stations, and will also be available on the website.

     

    LAST REVIEWED ON 12/04/2009