Skip to main content
318 Country Club Dr., Ellwood City, PA 16117
Middle School Guidance » Attendance FAQ

Attendance FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ACCORDING TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

HOW MANY DAYS CAN A STUDENT BE ABSENT DURING ONE SCHOOL YEAR? 

Any student that accumulates eighteen (18) days of absence from school, for which no doctor's statement has been issued, an 18-day letter will be sent home by school authorities.  This letter will inform the parent that any absence after eighteen days must be accompanied by a doctor's statement or it will be identified as unexcused and/or unlawful and if the student's attendance does not improve charges may be filed with the district magistrate.  In addition, the student will be referred to the Beaver County Truancy Abatement Center. 

Simply stated:  eighteen (18) days including unexcused days and/or days for which you have supplied a parental excuse.

 

WHAT DOESN'T COUNT TOWARD THE EIGHTEEN (18) DAY ABSENCE? 

 

EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T COUNT TOWARD THE EIGHTEEN (18) DAYS, THE FOLLOWING IS STILL AN ABSENCE.

 

  • Any absence for which a doctor's statement (excuse) can be supplied
  • Legal appointments/required court attendance
  • Death in the family
  • Educational tours and trips
  • Religious holidays (observances)
  • Other exceptionally urgent reasons as determined by building administrators

 

IF A STUDENT MISSES SCHOOL AND TURNS IN A PARENTAL EXCUSE, DOES THAT COUNT TOWARD THE EIGHTEEN (18) DAYS?

  

YES!!!  Even when a parent excuse is returned immediately upon absence, it still counts toward the eighteen (18) days.  The only absences that do NOT count are listed above in the previous paragraph.

 

HOW LATE CAN A STUDENT ARRIVE AT SCHOOL AND STILL GET CREDIT FOR BEING IN SCHOOL THE WHOLE DAY?  HALF DAY?

 

In the Middle School, a student is late who arrives at 7:35 and through 10:35 is considered TARDY.  If a student arrives between 10:35 and 12:35 they are considered to have missed a half-day of school.  If you arrive at 12:36 or later, you will be marked absent for the entire day. 

 

In the same way, a student who leaves early before 10:35 will be considered absent for the entire day.  If a student leaves early between 10:35 and 12:35, they are marked absent a half-day.  If a student is dismissed early and leaves after 12:35, they get credit for the entire day.

 

HOW MANY TIMES CAN A STUDENT BE LATE TO SCHOOL?

 

Although a student should always be on time, students are granted the following:

 

  • 3 unexcused lates to school will warrant a warning and a conference between student and principal
  • 6 unexcused lates to school will warrant one hour of detention (level 1) after school
  • 8 unexcused lates to school will warrant one and one-half hour (level 2) detention after school
  • 10 unexcused lates to school will warrant a 2-hour (level 3) detention after school

A parent conference will be held for any student exceeding ten (10) unexcused lates to determine a course of action.

 

CAN A STUDENT GO ON VACATION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR?  HOW DO I INFORM THE SCHOOL?

 

Students are permitted to miss five (5) school days during the school year for a vacation.  Approval will be based on two factors:  good academic standing and an acceptable attendance record. 

 

Parents are to write a statement to the school including the dates of the vacation, prior to the vacation so that approval from the building principal can be obtained.  If a student goes on vacation without prior approval from the principal, the days missed will be absences that count toward the eighteen (18) day absence limit.  With prior approval, (5) days of the vacation will not be considered toward the (18) day absence limit.