I.Attendance Guidelines, Grades K-12

• A. No individual student absences shall exceed 24 days in any school year. If a student exceeds the maximum number of allowable absences, that student will receive filing grades in all subjects for the school year. The failing grades will be recorded as insufficient attendance.

• B. Days not counted towards the 24 day limit:
  1. Religious holidays.
  2. Out of school suspensions.
  3. Illness: dates must be validated doctor's excuse and presented within 3 days after that student's return to school.
  4. Excuse that has been approved by the principal/designee for other urgent reasons, however verification must be presented immediately upon that student's return to school or that absence will be considered unexcused.
  5. Tardiness is a major problem in any school district, including Aliquippa. The Aliquippa School District feels that habits of tardiness not corrected in the earlier years will continue to worsen and possibly become major problems for the child in adult life. Therefore, in an effort to reduce or eliminate the student tardiness, any student who is tardy must report to the school office. It is required that the person bring in the student to school must also accompany the child to the office. If the class has already started, a tardy slip provided by the office will be presented to the teacher before the student enters the class. Further not, that if a student is suspended as a result of excessive tardiness to school (5), then that suspension will be considered as part of the 24-day attendance policy.
  6. A student is considered tardy if they arrive to school after 8:50.
     
  7. If a student comes to school at 9:45AM or later without a valid doctor's excuse that tardiness will be considered a ½ day absent. If a student has a dismissal at 2:15 or earlier without a valid doctor�s excuse that will also count as ½ day absent.

II. Definition of Questionable Absences

• A. Unexcused, unlawful absences:
  1. An illegal excuse would be marked unexcused and unlawful for those children under the age of 17.
  2. An illegal excuse would be marked unexcused for those children 17 years or older. For example:
  1. Truancy: absence without parental knowledge
  2. Illegal employment: working during school hours
  3. Parental neglect, such as:
  4. Child overslept
  5. Child was visiting away from home
  6. Child missed the bus, etc.
  • Excused Absences:
    1. Illness: excuse should be specific in stating what illness is or was. Medical verification may be required.
    2. Quarantine: the local health department must authenticate this type of excuse.
    3. Death in the immediate family: excuse should be specific. A general description such as death of father, uncle or grandmother is appropriate.
    4. Impassable road: reason that would make travel to school impossible (i.e.: landslide, flood, traffic accident, etc.)
    5. Excused on emergency permit: usually handled through administrative channels
    6. Exceptionally urgent reasons: handled through Administrative channels.
    7. Religious holidays

III. Procedures: see Student Handbook or call Elementary Office for copy