What if…my child has been sick and is returning to school?
- The State of Pennsylvania requires a handwritten signed excuse from the parent/guardian stating the dates and reason for the absence be submitted within 3 days of their return to school.
- Emails to the child’s teacher are not an acceptable excuse.
- Medical excuses are encouraged to be submitted if your child has been under the care of a medical professional.
What if…my child has had a prolonged (3 days or more consecutive) illness, hospitalization or surgery?
- A doctor excuse or excuse from the medical facility is strongly recommended. Please read the excuse carefully as all of the absence days may not be included. A parent/guardian excuse will be needed for the days not specified. Please be aware that medical excuses with altered dates will not be accepted. Contact your medical provider for additional excuses as needed.
- It is suggested that you also contact our school nurse so that she is aware of the circumstances and can provide the appropriate related care for your child should they visit the Health Office.
- Please note - a maximum of ten (10) cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days shall require an excuse from a licensed physician.
What if…we plan a family vacation or trip?
- If parents/guardians plan to take a family vacation and have it classified as an “educational trip” a completed “Request for Excused Absences from School for a Preplanned Educational Tour or Trip” form for each student is to be submitted to the school office at least one (1) week in advance. This includes half day trips and early dismissals to leave the day prior. The destination and educational value it presents is required to be stated. Pre-approved absences will be recorded as an excused absence.
- Under the new laws, days missed for educational trips will now be included in the total ten days that may be excused with a parental note. Students who miss more than ten days will be required to submit a doctor’s excuse for each subsequent absence.
- Educational trip requests that total over five (5) accumulated days are reviewed first by the principal and then forwarded to the District Administrative Office for approval.
- Please note that no trips will be approved during PSSA (3rdgrade)
What if… my child is going to participate in “Take Your Child to Work Day”?
- In order for the day to be anexcused absence, an “Educational Trip” form must be submitted with the company/facility that will be attended and a brief overview of the events of the day.
- Under the new laws, days missed for educational trips will now be included in the total ten days that may be excused with a parental note. Students who miss more than ten days will be required to submit a doctor’s excuse for each subsequent absence.
What if… my child is tardy?- A parent/guardian note stating the reason for the tardiness is to be submitted when the child arrives at the school office. A tardy slip will be issued to the child to present to their teacher.
- Teachers mark tardy students absent. The tardy will be recorded by the attendance secretary when the student arrives to school.
- If your child has had a medical appointment, please obtain a note from the medical provider and it will be recorded as a medically excused tardy.
- When a student has accumulated 7 or more unexcused tardies, the parent/guardian will be notified. Excessive tardiness will be addressed by the principal.
- Please note that the tardy bell rings at McMurray at 8:55 a.m.
What if…I need my child to have an early dismissal?
- Should it be necessary for a student to leave prior to 3:25 PM (morning kindergarten – 11:35 AM) written parent/guardian permission should be submitted to the classroom teacher the morning of the day of the dismissal.
- The note must contain the following: date, the reason for the early dismissal, time, name of child and the parent/guardian’s signature. No child will be released to anyone other than the legal parent/guardian unless written permission is provided by the legal parent/guardian. A photo ID will be requested of the person the child is being released to.
- The office will notify the teacher upon your arrival to send your child to the office for dismissal.
- When a student has accumulated 7 or more unexcused early dismissals, the parent/guardian will be notified. Excessive early dismissals will be addressed by the principal.
What if…I have a question about my child’s attendance?
- Your child’s attendance is available to you 24/7 through your parent account in PowerSchool.
- Always check their attendance for the code AUN. This reflects that an excuse has not been received. Please submit a signed excuse to the school office so that we may update your child’s attendance record.
- If you have any questions, please contact your school’s attendance secretary.
What if…I need more information or need to download a form?