C. ATTENDANCE

1. Absences - The policies regarding this area are as follows:

a. A student who has been absent from school, even for one day, is required to present a written note to his homeroom teacher. This is a school, state and Office of Catholic Education requirement.
b. A doctor’s certificate may be requested for absence of an extended nature (3 days).
c. Safe Arrival Program: If your child is going to be absent or arrive late at school, you are required to call the school. Please leave a message on voice mail. The number to call to report absences or lateness is (215) 887-3067. Please call by 9:00 AM.

If your child’s name appears on an attendance report from the homeroom teacher and you have not phoned in to let us know, please expect a call from the school to verify the absence or check on your child’s whereabouts. Please make this work by calling. Your child’s safety and welfare are of great importance to us.

d. In the case of illness, a school official will contact the parents or adult whose name has been submitted to the office with an emergency phone number.
e. Any child who stays home without his/her parent’s knowledge is liable to suspension. Any child who leaves school without permission is liable to suspension.
f. Parents are requested not to ask for early dismissal for such things as dentist’s appointments, etc., except in the case of emergency. Whenever possible, please make doctor and dental appointments after school. If this is not possible, please write a note asking permission to leave school. Please report to the office first in order to have your child released from school
g. For a child to leave school early, a note is required and an adult must come to the school office to pick up the child. You will be asked to sign a book releasing the child to your care.
h. In order to arrange for assignments of children who are absent due to illness, kindly call the school office by 12:00 noon. This work may be picked up by the parent at the school office no earlier than 3:00 PM. It is the responsibility of the student to complete work and tests that have been missed due to absence.

2. Arrivals

A child is expected to come directly to the schoolyard between 8:15 and 8:25 AM. In the case of inclement weather, a child may go directly to the gym. Parents are asked not to leave a child at school before 8:15 AM.

Morning Session 8:25 AM - 12:30 PM

Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

Afternoon Session 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Children are dismissed from their classroom by their teachers at 3:15 PM. No child may leave the building prior to dismissal without the Principal’s permission.

5. Early Dismissal for Individual Students

No child will be excused early except in cases of emergency. To request an early dismissal, please send a note to the homeroom teacher who will forward it to the office. The student will be dismissed from the school office. The parent or guardian must report to the school office and sign the "Visitor’s Book."

6. Lateness

A student who arrives late for school must:

• report to school office for an admission slip
• present a note from his/her parent explaining the reason for the lateness
• present the admission slip to the teacher in the class

Consistent unexcused lateness will be considered "parental neglect" which will be reported to the Abington School District for further investigation. Detention will be given for unexcused lateness. Lateness, of course, impacts on a perfect attendance record.

7. Vacation Policy

The planning of family vacations is strongly discouraged during the school year. Please contact the Principal directly if there is a need for your child to be away on vacation during the academic year. In the event that a child does go away, all work must be made up when the child returns to school.