FRONT COVER - Norwin School District

ATTENDANCE
Rationale
In order for Norwin School District students to benefit from the District's planned educational program, it is
necessary that they be in regular attendance. Regular attendance is a prerequisite for educating the
children of our district. Curricula are planned and courses taught as a progression of learning activities
and ideas. When students are absent, they miss one or more steps in the learning hierarchy; absent
students cannot be taught.
The laws covering school attendance are explicit, and attendance shall be required of all enrolled
students when school is in session. Parents and guardians are legally responsible for their child's
attendance at school.
The school district will assist parents and school-age children who are experiencing attendance problems.
Such assistance may involve frequent parental contact, counseling and/or psychological services
provided within the resources of the school system, or referral to agencies that provide support to the
school district. It may also be necessary to invoke disciplinary action, as suggested by the Discipline
Policy and Response Structure. Since parents and guardians are legally responsible for their child's
attendance at school, they may find themselves in conflict with the law.
Definition of Terms
Section 1328 of the Pennsylvania School Code requires that every child of compulsory school age,
having legal residence in the Commonwealth, attend public school or private school meeting standards
prescribed the State Board of Education. “Every parent, guardian or other person having control or
charge of any child of school age is required to send such child to school.” The Pennsylvania School
Code (PS-13-1333) stipulates compulsory school attendance requirements and penalties for violations.
The following definitions are provided to assist in understanding the policies and procedures established
by the Board of School Directors:
Compulsory School Age:
The period of a child's life from the time the child's parents elect to have the child enter school,
which shall not be later than eight (8) years of age, until the age of 17 years.
Tardiness:
Absence of a student at the time a given class and/or school day begins, provided the student is
in attendance before the close of that class or day. Students arriving after 10:30am will
receive both a tardy and ½-day absence.
Truancy:
The failure of a child to attend school regularly as required by law without acceptable reason, or
willful violation of the compulsory attendance laws.
Unexcused Absence:
The absence from school of a pupil who is not excused by the attendance officer or principal.
Unlawful Absence:
The unexcused absence of a pupil under 17 years of age.
Attendance Guidelines
Acceptable Reasons:
Attendance is required of all enrolled students during the days that school is in session. A student's
absence is excusable when one of the following conditions presents reasonable cause for absence from
school:
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