To report an absence, please use
the new online Form:
You only need to fill out the form. You do not need to call or send in anything else once you have completed the online form to report an absence. If you prefer to send in a hardcopy note for your student's absence, please download the Absence/Tardy
Excuse Form. You DO NOT need to also send in a
paper note if you have submitted an absence with the online form.
Absences must be reported within three (3) days of your student's return to school. Due to high volume, please allow up to five (5) school days for your student’s attendance record to be updated. If you have any questions or need to request an educational trip, please email [email protected]. Please do
not send absence notes or early dismissal requests to this email.
We are dedicated to providing the best educational experience for
our students and part of that is increasing attendance and reducing
chronic absenteeism. For more information about out Attendance
& Lateness policies, please visit the links provided below or the
left side of the page.
|
Michelle Johnson
West Campus
Attendance Office
608 S. Olds Blvd.
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
PH: 215.949.6780, Press 1
Fax: 215.269.4864
|
|
Frances Chase
East Campus
Attendance Office
705 Hood Blvd.
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
PH: 215.949.6700
Fax: 215.949.3896
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between excused and unexcused
absences?
Excused absences and unexcused absences all count towards
attendance hours. However, excused absences do not count against a
student’s truancy record, and therefore will not cause a parent and
student to be filed on through the court system. Unexcused absences
will count against a student’s truancy record, and can result in
disciplinary measures and/or court filings. In order for an absence or
tardy to be considered excused, parent and doctor notes must be
submitted within 3 school days of the absence. Notes received after 3 days will not change the absence coding.
What types of absences are excused?
The only absences permitted by law are for the following reasons:
- Student illness
- Death in family
- Religious holiday & religious instruction as permitted by law
- Other urgent reasons
- Educational trip approved ahead of time
- College visits
- Court subpoenas
What are the penalties of habitual truancy?
Habitual truancy due to unexcused absences is a summary offense
addressed under the Pennsylvania Public School Code Compulsory
Attendance Law amended by Act 138 of 2016. As such, penalties (i.e. a
fine up to $750, a jail sentence up to three days, attendance at
parenting classes, community services in the school district of up to
six months) may be imposed against parents, guardians and others
responsible for truant children under the age of 17. In cases where the
student is determined to be in violation of the compulsory attendance
law, he/ she will be subject to penalties (i.e. a fine up to $300,
assignment to an adjudication alternative program, driver’s license
suspension for 90 days, disposition as dependent child). Referrals to
the Children and Youth Agency can be made for habitually truant
students. For more information, please refer to the letter from Mrs. Aldridge regarding
attendance.
What is a Student Attendance Improvement Plan?
Upon the student’s third unexcused absence, a school and family
conference will be completed to discuss the cause of the child’s
truancy and develop a mutually agreed upon plan to resolve truant
behavior.
You only need to fill out the form. You do not need to call or send in anything else once you have completed the online form to report an absence. Absences must be reported within three (3) days of your student's return to school. Due to high volume, please allow up to five (5) school days for your student’s attendance record to be updated.