Regular attendance helps students keep pace with learning, build relationships, and stay connected to school. SDoL encourages every student to attend at least 95% of school days.
Missing two days each month can add up to 10% of the school year, which is considered chronically absent. When attendance becomes difficult, please contact your child’s school early. We want to understand what is getting in the way and work with your family to identify support.
Who must attend school
Pennsylvania law requires children to attend school from age 6 until age 18. This requirement also applies after a family enrolls a younger child in kindergarten.
Families must ensure that their child attends an approved public, charter, cyber charter, private, religious, home education, or private tutoring program unless a lawful exception applies.
Reporting an absence
Submit a written excuse within three school days of the absence. The excuse must include:
- The date or dates of the absence
- The reason for the absence
- A parent or guardian signature
Families may submit an excuse through ParentVUE, by email to the school’s attendance address, or as a handwritten note. ParentVUE also allows families to report current or upcoming absences.
A phone call, voicemail, ClassDojo message, or Remind message alone does not meet the written excuse requirement.
Until the school receives an acceptable written excuse, the absence will be recorded as unlawful or unexcused.
Ten parent excuse days
SDoL permits up to 10 cumulative days during a school year based on written notification from a parent or guardian. These days are commonly used for lawful absences such as illness or an urgent family need.
After the tenth parent excused day, additional health-related or parent-excused absences require supporting documentation from a licensed health care practitioner or another qualifying source. Religious observances, court appearances, funerals, and other approved categories follow the documentation requirements for that type of absence.
Contact your school’s attendance office if you are unsure what documentation is needed.
Religious observance and instruction
Religious observances are recognized as excused absences with a signed written note from a parent or guardian stating that the absence is due to a required or sincerely held religious observance.
Submit the request before the absence and include the date or dates and the religious observance. An approved religious observance will be recorded as excused, will not count toward truancy, and will not carry a penalty. Students will have an opportunity to make up missed schoolwork.
Religious instruction follows a separate process. Families may request up to 36 hours of excused release from school each year for a student to attend religious instruction. The request must identify the instruction and the dates and hours the student will attend. After each absence, the family must provide written confirmation that the student attended.
The 36-hour annual limit applies only to religious instruction. It does not apply to religious holiday observances.
Common reasons an absence may be excused
Health and family needs
- Illness, surgery, or recovery from an accident
- Medical, dental, therapy, or other professional health care
- Isolation because of a contagious illness
- Physical incapacity
- Family emergency
- Death in the family or a funeral
Approved activities and obligations
- Required court attendance
- An approved religious observance
- Approved religious instruction
- An approved educational tour or trip
- An approved college visit, up to three days annually
- Certain approved 4-H or FFA activities
- Other special events approved in advance
Each type of absence may have its own notification or documentation requirements.
Educational tours and trips
A nonschool-sponsored educational trip must be approved before the student leaves.
Submit the District’s Pre-Planned Trip Form at least one week before the trip. The school will notify the family which dates have been approved or denied.
Approved trip days count toward the student’s 10 parent excuse days. The principal may limit approval based on the student’s attendance. Forms will not be accepted after the absence, and days missed for an unapproved trip will be recorded as unlawful or unexcused.
When to keep your child home
Keep your child home and contact the school when your child has symptoms such as:
- A fever above 100.4°F
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting two or more times within 24 hours
- Frequent diarrhea
- Severe or continuing abdominal pain
- A rapidly spreading or concerning rash
- Uncovered skin sores that are draining fluid
- Severe illness or unusual unresponsiveness
Contact your school nurse when you are unsure whether your child should attend. The nurse can help assess the situation and connect your family with additional support.
Understanding attendance terms
| Attendance term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Excused or lawful | The school has accepted the reason and required documentation. Religious observances are included. These absences do not count toward truancy. |
| Chronic absenteeism | A student has missed 10% or more of enrolled school days for any reason. This includes excused and unexcused absences and is used to identify when support may be needed. |
| Truant | A student has accumulated three or more unlawful or unexcused school days. The District provides written notice and works with the family to address attendance barriers. |
| Habitually truant | A student has accumulated six or more unlawful or unexcused school days. The District must follow the steps required by Pennsylvania law based on the student’s age and circumstances. |
Chronic absenteeism and truancy are different. An excused religious observance may be included in the total instructional time missed for chronic absenteeism reporting, but it remains excused and does not become an unlawful absence or truancy.
What families can expect
After three unlawful or unexcused school days, the District will provide written notice and begin working with the family to address attendance barriers.
When a student reaches six unlawful or unexcused days, the District will schedule an Attendance Improvement Conference. The student, family, school staff, and other people identified by the family may participate. The conversation focuses on the reasons for the absences and the support that may help improve attendance.
If additional unlawful absences occur after the conference, a School Social Worker or Home School Visitor may conduct a home visit and offer further assistance. Pennsylvania law may also require a referral to an attendance improvement program, Children and Youth, or the filing of a citation depending on the student’s age and circumstances.
If attendance concerns may be connected to a disability or medical condition, contact the school so the appropriate team can review whether additional services or accommodations are needed.
Your school attendance team
Support is available at every school.
- School social workers work with families and school staff to address attendance concerns and connect families with resources.
- School counselors support student success and help address academic, social, and emotional barriers.
- School nurses help families manage health concerns that may affect attendance.
- Home School Visitors connect schools, families, and community resources to address barriers related to attendance.
- Special education staff help ensure that students with disabilities receive the services and accommodations they need.
Questions or need assistance
Contact your child’s school attendance office. Language assistance is available at no cost to families.