Attendance Information

• When a student is absent from school, a written legal excuse (signed by a parent or guardian) is required.
• Parents/Guardians are encouraged to submit absence excuses through the Sapphire Parent Portal
  • Once you are in your student's portal page, choose “Student Data Forms” on the left-hand side of the screen
  • Choose “Student Absence Excuse” and complete this form for your student's absence
• Written excuses can still be handed in to the Attendance Office secretary in the Main Office of the High School. 
• Students who attend Lehigh Career Technical Institute are expected to return a separate excuse to LCTI for their absences.
• If excuses are not received within three school days, the day will be recorded as unlawful (ages under 18) or unexcused (ages 18+). 

Please review this Step-by-Step Flow Chart for questions about how to submit an Excuse for a student absence to school. 

The following reasons, as found in Chapter 11 – Pupil Attendance – of the Regulations of the State Board of Education of Pennsylvania, are the only reasons for an approved temporary absence from school

• Illness
• Quarantine
• Required court attendance
• Death in the immediate family
• Violent weather
• Educational tours and trips
• State emergency
• Health care by a licensed physician
• Family Emergency (so designated by the school administration) 

• A written request from the parent or guardian must be presented to the assistant principal stating the reason for an early dismissal or late arrival
  • Please note: A physician’s excuse stating that the student was seen at the attending physician’s office is required upon the student’s return to school.
  • Official physician and dental appointment cards will be honored
  • This request must be submitted prior to first period on the day of the appointment. 
  • Parental notes for doctor excuses must include a date and time of appointment.
• Students who arrive after 9:15 A.M. will be considered absent for one half (1/2) day.
• Students leaving school before 1:07 P.M. will be considered absent for one half (1/2) day.
•  As a result of new state regulations, students attending less than 50% (arrival after 10:36 A.M. – departure before 11:51 A.M.) of the instructional day will be recorded as a “Partial Day” which will count as a full day of absence. The following attendance codes have been added: PAE – Partial Excused and PAU - Partial Unexcused. 

• If a student is not seated, ready to learn, in their Block 1 class by 7:45 AM, the student must sign in at the attendance office and will be marked as being tardy to school.
• Students may arrive tardy to school twice without disciplinary consequences.
• A third tardy will result in a warning, and a fourth will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
• Lateness due to illness must be verified by parental or physician note only.
• Entry to school after 9:15 AM constitutes a ½ day absence
• Leaving school before 1:07 PM constitutes a ½ day absence