The school expects every Middle School student to be in school every day unless they are ill or can present a legal excuse. Circumstances such as death in the immediate family or other urgent reasons are considered legal excuses. Unlawful absences may subject your parents or guardians to legal action.

If it is necessary for a student to be absent, it is requested that the school be informed by telephone on the day of the absence. The phone number for the attendance office is 610-775-1465.

A doctor’s certificate is required for those pupils who frequently are absent because of sickness. This is done in the interest of the student’s health.

A copy of the school’s policy is printed in the Behavioral Code and Student-Related Policies. (link to Policy book in School Board section)

Excuse Form

On the day a student returns to school from an absence, he/she shall present to the homeroom teacher an excuse written entirely by a parent or guardian explaining the absence.

This excuse should contain the following:

1. Student’s full name
2. Student’s homeroom
3. Date of absence(s) and reason(s) for absence(s)
4. Parent’s or guardian’s signature

Pre-arranged Absences

Educational trips, vacations, or other compelling reasons: A parental/guardian request for excused absence must be submitted to the building principal for consideration at least 10 days prior to the date of the trip. A maximum of five school days is allowed for each student per year. Forms are available in the attendance office.

Early dismissals and Late Arrivals/Excuse from Class

1. Students must arrive at school prior to 9:15 a.m. to be counted as present for the morning session. Students must remain at school at least until 1:25 p.m. to be counted as present for the afternoon.

2. In no case is a pupil to leave school during the day without written permission from the office.

If such permission is necessary, the student must bring to the attendance office, prior to first period a request, written and signed by parent/guardian, stating the exact time at which the student is to be dismissed and the reason for leaving school early.

Health Care: Absences for a portion of the school day may be excused for medical or dental appointments which cannot be arranged after school hours. Appointments resulting in 90 minutes or more will be considered a half day of absence. Students should return a card or note from the appropriate medical office verifying the visit to the attendance office.

The student will be issued an early dismissal pass which must be shown to the teacher whose class the student will leave.

All students must sign-out in the attendance office before leaving the building. Students returning from appointments must sign-in when they return.

3. If a student needs to be excused from any class or study hall, he/she must have a pass signed by the teacher who wishes to have him excused and by the teacher whose class or study hall he/she is leaving.