Excused Absences

The Compulsory School Attendance Law of Pennsylvania states that when a child enters kindergarten he/she comes under the compulsory attendance laws. Policy 204 stipulates the following: 

Excused Absences

1. 1.  Illness, including if a student is dismissed by designated District staff during school hours for health-related reasons.   
2. 2.  Obtaining professional health care or therapy service rendered by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts in any state, commonwealth or territory. 
3. 3.  Quarantine. 
4. 4.  Family emergency. 
5. 5.  Recovery from accident. 
6. 6.  Required court attendance. 
   7.  Death in family. 
   8.  Participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group, upon prior written request.  
7. 9.  Participation in a musical performance in conjunction with a national veterans’ organization or incorporated unit, as defined in law, for an event or funeral. 
   1. a.  The national veterans’ organization or incorporated unit must provide the student with a signed excuse, which shall include the date, location, and time of the event or funeral.
   2. b.  The student shall furnish the signed excuse to the District prior to being excused from school. 
8. 10.  Observance of a religious holiday observed by a bona fide religious group, upon prior written request from the person in parental relation. 
9. 11.  Nonschool-sponsored educational tours or trips, under the guidelines established in the section entitled Educational Trips below. 
10. 12.  Medical documentation will be required for students who acquire ten (10) or more absences during the school year. The policy indicates that pre-approved educational trips and absences for religious holidays or religious instruction (within guidelines) will be considered a lawful absence and be exempt from the 10 days of cumulative absence necessitating a physician’s statement.