Attendance

Education is a cumulative process. Each day of school is an important part of the students' educational growth and development. It is extremely important that every student attend school every day unless prevented by a situation that is absolutely unavoidable.

If a child is absent, he/she should bring a note on his/her returning day. The note should state name of child, date, days absent, reason and parent's signature. Each absence and tardiness requires a note. The school should be notified if a child is or expects to be absent three or more days. If the school has not been contacted during an extended absence, the school nurse or other personnel may contact the home for information. A doctor's note for absence of five days or longer is required. Children who will be absent because of religious holidays must bring a note prior to the absence. A note is required for every absence.

It seems that each year more children are being taken out of school for vacations and long weekends. It has been our experience that some of those students cannot afford to miss instructional time and/or are not able to focus again on their schoolwork when they return. Teachers become frustrated when children who are already experiencing academic difficulties, are absent when new concepts are being presented. Asking for work to be sent with the child while on vacation is not a solution since independent work is designed to be used after classroom instruction. Please give this issue your serious consideration.

Family vacations, hunting or fishing and days on which a student missed the bus are not considered as excused absences. In the case of family trips, if prior to the trip the parent writes a letter to the school principal outlining the educational opportunities provided during the trip, consideration for excused absence will be given. Should a student be absent for any of these reasons, the responsibility for the absence rests with the parent. The law provides for a limited number of days of unexcused absence without penalty.

Students may be excused for "URGENT REASONS". Please discuss the situation with the principal. We will follow the provision of the School Laws of Pennsylvania. Specific questions not covered by these guidelines should be referred to the principal. Unusual situations or anticipated absences requiring interpretation of the compulsory School Attendance Laws should be brought to the principal's attention before the anticipated absence.

UNEXCUSED/UNLAWFUL ABSENCE

Should the absence of a student be considered unexcused, the responsibility rests with the parent or guardian. The law provides for strict penalties for excessive absences. The Pennsylvania School code calls for possible fines and other penalties.

GUIDELINES

The Everitt Staff is making a concerted effort to increase daily attendance and prompt arrival at school. The following information is based on Board Policy 552 and pertains to students in grades K - 5.

	Children are expected to be in their classrooms at 8:50 AM.
	Students in afternoon kindergarten must be in their rooms by 12:30 PM.
	Any student arriving after 8:50 AM must be signed in at the school office by a parent or guardian.
	Students in afternoon kindergarten arriving after 12:30 PM must be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian.
	All cases of early dismissal should be preceded by a note from the parent stating the time, date and reason for dismissal form school for one half day.
	A student who leaves school prior to 10:10 AM and does not return will be considered full-day absent.
	When a student arrives after 8:50 AM but before 10:10 AM, they will be marked as tardy.
	A student arriving after 10:10 AM will be marked as 1/2 day absent.
	A student who leaves before 12:35 PM is considered 1/2 day absent.
	A student whose early dismissal is after 12:35 PM but was preceded by a note from the parent stating the time, date and reason for dismissal will each be considered on an individual basis.

As always, if your child is sick (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headaches, etc) we expect him/her to be kept home. A note of explanation must be sent to your child's teacher within three days of the day he/she returns to school. Teachers will provide make-up work that must be completed in a timely fashion. They will also make every effort to give your child any test that was missed during his/her absence.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact Dr. McKee at 215 943-1880 or cmckee@neshaminy.k12.pa.us.

CHANGES IN INFORMATION

After families register their children in school, changes in information frequently occur. There could be a new home or employment telephone number or a change in last name as the result of a divorce, remarriage, or adoption. We won't know about the change unless you inform us. Putting the information on the emergency contact card is a good first step. But, we do not have time to compare every child's emergency contact with our directory. Please notify that school office if your information changes during the school year.