Starting with the 2017-2018 school year:
As part of new requirements from Pennsylvania’s Department of Education, a truancy elimination and absence reduction plan will be implemented to help reduce chronic absenteeism. Supports and services will be in place for students and families.
This plan is intended to be a support mechanism for parents and families to ensure students are able to be successful in their academic studies through increased attendance in school.
According to the Pennsylvania School Code, all children between the ages of 8 and 16 are required to attend school. Attendance is extremely important to ensure ongoing academic success of students. The educational program offered by the district is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation in order for students to achieve academic standards and consistent educational progress. “A maximum of ten days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten cumulative days should require an excuse from a physician (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2006.)”
“The school district is responsible for monitoring and maintaining records of the attendance of students. All absences should be treated as unlawful until the school district receives a written excuse explaining the reason(s) for an absence. Parents/guardians and students should submit the written explanation within three (3) calendar days of the absence and should be informed that if they fail to provide a written excuse within three days of the absence, the absence would be permanently counted as unlawful (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2006.)”