Attendence

  • Absence From School

    Regular school attendance is an important part of every student’s success and is necessary to gain the greatest benefit from the educational experience. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law and school policy require regular school attendance.

    Excused Absence

    To assure absences are excused, the parent/guardian must submit a written note within three (3) school days upon return and the note should include:

    • Date(s) of absence(s)
    • A valid reason for the absence(s)
    • A parent/guardian signature
    • Valid reasons for absence from school include:
      • Illness, including if a student is dismissed by designated Intermediate Unit staff during school hours for health-related reasons.
      • Obtaining professional health care or therapy service rendered by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts in any state, commonwealth, or territory.
      • Family emergency.
      • Recovery from accident.
      • Required court attendance.
      • Death in family.
      • Participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group, upon prior written request.

    Parents are asked to call the school office at 610-938-9000 ext. 3542 by 8:00 a.m. the day your child is absent. This phone call does not replace the required written documentation, but it allows school staff to know the whereabouts of your child. If a student is absent, and the parent has not notified us, the school attendance secretary will contact the parent.

    OPTIONS students are encouraged to and notify the community site if they are going to be absent. It is very important that your child establish the habit of calling in when he/she cannot come to work due to illness, missing the bus; previous appointment, or any other reason.

    This is a procedure that all potential employees and community volunteers will have to follow at any place of employment where volunteering. Your son/daughter can state the following:

    I ____________ will not be coming to work/apartment or travel instruction today because _____________.

      

  • Excused Absences Contact Information

    Call absences in anytime before 8 a.m. unless noted.

    Employability Skills Sites

    • Boeing – 610-938-9000 x2249 
    • DCIU Morton – 610-938-9000 x2001 
    • Thrift Shop on the Avenue – 610-284-4190 
    • Giant – 610-938-9000 x2249 
    • Haverford College – 610-938-9000 x2250 
    • Marshalls – MacDade Mall and Springfield – 610-938-9000 x2250 
    • Swarthmore College – 610-328-7130 

    Community Living and Learning
    Media Apartment N. Jackson – 484-442-8682 
    Newtown Towers Apartment – 610-353-3049 

    SAILS: Media N. Jackson St. – 610-565-8289 
    Enhanced Employment:  Job Coordinator – the number will be on the training agreement
    Travel Instruction: Travel Instructor – the number will be on the training agreement and call employer.

     

    Unexcused Absences From School

    An Unexcused (or unlawful) absence will result from failure to provide a written note within three (3) calendar days of the student’s return to school or an invalid reason provided for the absence.

    If a student is absent for three or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note may be required for the absence to be marked as excused. The note should be on official letterhead and include the dates of treatment.

    A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative Excused/Lawful absences may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days shall require an excuse from a licensed practitioner of the healing arts.

    Attendance records are reported to the student’s school district at the end of each month. Subsequent to a third truant absence, a meeting may be convened to discuss the cause of the student’s truancy and to develop a plan to resolve the truant behavior.