Attendance

Parents and guardians are responsible for notifying the District each day their child is absent from school. Please select the appropriate option below for instructions on how to report your child's absence.

Please note: Attendance must be reported each day your child is absent, including consecutive absences.

• Report Your Child Absent

Excused Absences

Excused absences include:

• Legitimate illness
• Medical or legal appointments
• Quarantine
• Death in the immediate family
• Impassable roads
• Exceptionally urgent reasons approved by the administration
• Pre-approved educational trips

All excuses must be submitted within three (3) school days of the absence.

Students absent for three or more consecutive school days must provide medical documentation.

Unexcused Absences

Absences for reasons not recognized under Pennsylvania law - including hunting, fishing, employment, vacations that have not been approved as educational trips, or other non-approved reasons - will be recorded as illegal (unexcused) absences, even if a parent or guardian submits an excuse.

Excessive Excused Absences

After ten (10) parent-excused absences, all future absences or partial absences require documentation from a medical professional. Failure to provide the required documentation may result in the absence being recorded as illegal (unexcused).

Excessive absences may negatively impact student learning and academic progress.

Pennsylvania law requires all students between the ages of 6 and 18 to attend school regularly. The Elizabethtown Area School District administers attendance procedures in accordance with Pennsylvania's Compulsory School Attendance Law.

The following actions occur as illegal (unexcused) absences accumulate:

• 3 Illegal Absences: The student is classified as truant, and the first official attendance notification is sent to the parent or guardian through the Sapphire Community Portal.
• 6 Illegal Absences: The student is classified as habitually truant. A second attendance notification is sent through the Sapphire Community Portal, and the family will be offered a truancy meeting to discuss attendance concerns and available supports.
• 10 Illegal Absences: A third attendance notification is mailed to the parent or guardian, and the District may file a truancy citation with the local Magisterial District Judge.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to respond promptly to all attendance notifications. Excessive illegal absences may result in the inability to make up missed assignments, academic decline, and additional legal consequences as provided under Pennsylvania law.

Students may be granted an excused absence to participate in an educational trip for up to five (5) school days per school year with prior administrative approval.

To request an educational trip, a completed Educational Trip Request Form must be submitted to the building principal at least five (5) school days before the scheduled trip. Requests submitted with less than five days' notice may be recorded as unexcused absences.

Educational trip requests are reviewed based on several factors, including the student's attendance history, previous educational trip requests, and the educational value of the proposed experience. As a condition of approval, students may be required to complete all missed assignments or an educational project related to the trip.

• I Need an Educational Trip Permission Form

When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian to communicate with the student's teachers or school counselor to obtain missed assignments.

Students with excused absences are expected to complete all make-up work within three (3) school days of returning to school unless otherwise directed by the teacher. Teachers may assign alternative or comparable assignments, when appropriate, to ensure students have the opportunity to recover missed instructional experiences.

Assignments missed due to unexcused (illegal) absences may receive a grade of zero at the discretion of the teacher and/or administration. Students who skip class or are absent without an approved excuse will not be permitted to make up missed work and may be subject to additional disciplinary consequences in accordance with District policies.

Homebound instruction is available for students who are unable to attend school for an extended period due to a documented illness, injury, or disability. The program provides temporary instructional services to help eligible students continue their education while they are unable to attend school in person.

Eligibility for homebound instruction requires appropriate medical documentation and is determined in accordance with District procedures and Board Policy 117.

Students receiving homebound instruction are not permitted to participate in school-sponsored activities during the period of homebound services.

If you believe your child may qualify for homebound instruction, please contact your child's school counselor for additional information and assistance. For complete details, please review EASD Board Policy 117 – Homebound Instruction.

Participation in School Activities

Students who are absent for the entire school day, or secondary students who arrive after 8:30 a.m., are not permitted to participate in athletic practices, athletic contests, or other school-sponsored activities (including plays, musicals, field trips, and similar events) on that day.

Exceptions may be granted when the absence or late arrival is due to a documented medical or legal appointment or another approved reason. Final approval for participation is determined by school administration.

Early Dismissals

Students may be excused from school early for urgent or appropriate reasons. Requests for early dismissal should be submitted in advance by a parent or guardian and presented to the school office for approval. For verification purposes, the school may contact the parent or guardian before releasing the student.

When applicable, students are encouraged to provide medical or legal documentation upon returning to school.