Stay Red Knight Ready
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Consistent attendance at school is important for students to make academic progress and also provides them with opportunities for social and emotional growth.
Students should miss no more than nine (9) days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduate. Attendance is an important life skill that can help your child succeed in school and beyond. Our educators work hard to provide meaningful instruction throughout the day, and we expect students to have good attendance so they may fully participate in the learning process.
Thanks for your partnership in ensuring your children are at school and ready to learn!
*Educational trips must receive prior approval from your school's principal through a written application. Approval is based on the educational value of the trip and the student's attendance record. A maximum of five (5) days can be used during a school year with no more than two (2) educational trip requests per year; requests affecting PSSA testing will not be honored.
Absence Procedures
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When your child is absent from school:
- Submit a written excuse from a parent/guardian or a doctor excusing the student for the entire school day. This must be submitted within five (5) school days after the last day of absence.
- If a student is absent for three (3) consecutive days, they must present a doctor's excuse upon returning to school. If your child returns to school without a doctor's excuse, the absence will be marked unlawful.
A maximum of 10 (ten) days excused with a parent note are allowed per year. If you reach the maximum of 10 (ten) days excused with a parent note, you will be required to provide a doctor's excuse for all additional absences; otherwise, those absences will be marked unlawful.
Report an Excused Absence
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Need to report an excused absence? Under state law, excused absences include:
- Illness
- Family emergency
- Death of a family member
- Medical or dental appointments
- Authorized school activities
- Educational travel* (with prior approval from the building principal through a written application), and
- Court hearings as required by a county, youth agency or juvenile probation office
To report an Excused Absence, Parents/Guardians can fill out our Google Form here.
Downloadable Excuse Forms
Did You Know?
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Each student's report card includes a list of excused, unlawful and tardy days. In addition, phone calls are made at 6 p.m. to inform parents if their child was absent from school that day. Parents could also receive phone calls from the Home and School Visitors or a Parent Outreach Assistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an excused absence?
Under state law, excused absences include:
- Illness
- Family emergency
- Death of a family member
- Medical or dental appointments
- Authorized school activities
- Educational travel* (with prior approval from the building principal through a written application), and
- Court hearings as required by a county, youth agency or juvenile probation office
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Will I be notified when my child is absent from school?
- Parents will be notified by phone call and/or email on the evening of the child’s absence.
- Notifications may also come from other staff.
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Who do I contact for general attendance questions?
Contact the attendance office at your child’s school.
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How do I turn in an absence note?
Notes may be submitted by paper note (you may download templates on this webpage), electronically via our Student Absence Excuse Form, through Class Dojo, Remind, or email.
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When do I need to turn in an absent note?
Parent and healthcare provider notes must be turned in within 5 days of your child’s absence. Up to 10 parent notes may be submitted each year, after which a healthcare note will be required.
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How do I get approval for educational travel or a college visit?
An educational travel form or college visit form must be submitted for approval. Please download the form here or contact your school’s attendance office for a copy.
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My child won't go to school. Who do I contact for help?
Please contact your child’s teacher, counselor, social worker, or attendance office.
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My child is anxious about attending school. What can I do to help?
School anxiety is common. Please reach out to your child's teacher, principal, or guidance counselor to learn ways to combat school anxiety.
Additionally, here are some good tips and resources. -
I received a letter from my child’s school about unlawful absences, but I gave them a note, what do I do?
Sometimes students forget to hand in notes. That’s OK. We will work with you to correct the attendance records. Please contact your school’s attendance office for guidance.
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I received a letter from my child’s school inviting me for a SAIC meeting (School Attendance Improvement Conference), what does this mean?
SAIC stands for Student Attendance Improvement Conference.
This conference is designed to determine the root cause of a student's truancy and to create solutions for improved attendance. -
Where can I check my child’s attendance?
- Home Access Center (HAC)
- Report Card
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What does compulsory attendance mean?
“Compulsory attendance” refers to the mandate that all children of compulsory school age, having a legal residence in Pennsylvania, must attend a day school.
In Pennsylvania, that means a child who has attained the age of 6 on or before September 1 must enroll and attend school or begin a home school program that year.Additionally, any student less than 18 years of age must comply with compulsory school age requirements.
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What is truancy?
When a student reaches 3 unexcused absences, they are considered truant.
If they reach 6 unexcused absences, they are considered habitually truant.
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What is chronic absenteeism?
A student is considered chronically absent when they have missed 10% or more of school days during the school year.
All absences, both excused and unexcused, count towards chronic absenteeism.
Home and School Visitors
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Our licensed Home School Visitors will work with students, parents and staff to address truancy issues.
The essential functions of our Home and School visitors include:
- Visit the homes of students who are experiencing challenges in school, such as attendance, academics and discipline.
- Assist parents with finding appropriate community agencies and resources.
- Attend assigned District Justice and Juvenile court proceedings.
- Monitor assigned areas of the city to identify truant students and safety concerns.
- Work with assigned alternative school programs and provide services to students attending those schools.
- Work with school staff to address attendance issues.
Home and School Visitors Contacts
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Department Contacts
Linda Pauley
Pupil Accounting and Attendance
610-371-5868Wynton Butler
Social Services Director
484-258-7103 Ext 60201
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10th and Green Elementary
Jacquline GuerreroHome and School Visitor484-769-0923 -
10th and Penn Elementary
Jacquline GuerreroHome and School Visitor484-769-0923 -
12th and Marion Elementary
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
13th and Green Elementary
Jacquline GuerreroHome and School Visitor484-769-0923 -
13th and Union Elementary
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
16th and Haak Elementary
Elizabeth Hernandez-CollazoHome and School Visitor610-371-5934 Ext. 54017 -
Amanda E. Stout Elementary
Elizabeth Hernandez-CollazoHome and School Visitor610-371-5934 Ext. 54017 -
Glenside Elementary
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
Lauer's Park Elementary
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
Millmont Elementary
Elizabeth Hernandez-CollazoHome and School Visitor610-371-5934 Ext. 54017 -
Northwest Area Elementary
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
Riverside Elementary
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
Tyson-Schoener Elementary
Elizabeth Hernandez-CollazoHome and School Visitor610-371-5934 Ext. 54017 -
Central Middle School
Jacquline GuerreroHome and School Visitor484-769-0923 -
Northeast Middle School
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
Northwest Middle School
David C. MarrellaHome and School Visitor484-769-0915 -
Southern Middle School
Elizabeth Hernandez-CollazoHome and School Visitor610-371-5934 Ext. 54017 -
Southwest Middle School
Elizabeth Hernandez-CollazoHome and School Visitor610-371-5934 Ext. 54017 -
High School Campuses & Career and Technology Center
Jerome SingletonHome and School Visitor484-769-0159
Attendance Clerks
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To reach an attendance clerk, please dial 484-258-7000 and then the extension number.
LOCATION NAME EXT 10TH & GREEN ELEMENTARY 21912 10TH & PENN ELEMENTARY 34912 12TH & MARION ELEMENTARY 23913 13TH & GREEN ELEMENTARY 22913 13TH & UNION ELEMENTARY 24912 16TH & HAAK ELEMENTARY 32913 AMANDA STOUT ELEMENTARY 31912 CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL 57955 CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL 57936 CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL 57026 CITY LINE RKAA 35910 GLENSIDE ELEMENTARY 26912 GLENSIDE RKAA LAUERS PARK ELEMENTARY 28910 MILLMONT ELEMENTARY 33925 NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL 53912 NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY NORTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL 52913 READING HIGH SCHOOL 81054 READING HIGH SCHOOL 81903 READING HIGH SCHOOL 81916 READING HIGH SCHOOL 81913 READING HIGH SCHOOL 81396 RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY 25912 SOUTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL 51912 SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL 54912 THOMAS FORD RKAA 36910 TYSON-SCHOENER ELEMENTARY 30913