The school year consists of 180 instructional days. Pennsylvania law requires students to attend school on all days and during all hours that school is in session, and students may not be absent without school approval. A student’s attendance record reflects patterns of both absences and lateness. Students who are present every school day and have no unexcused lateness are recognized with a Perfect Attendance certificate.
When a student is absent, a parent or guardian must call the Student Life Office at 215-455-6900 ext. 125 or 128 between 7:30–10:00 AM. For extended absences, periodic check-ins may be arranged.
NO STUDENT IS EVER PERMITTED TO REPORT HERSELF ABSENT FROM SCHOOL.
Students must submit the official absence form to the Student Life Office before homeroom on the day of return. The form must be signed by a parent or guardian and include current contact information. Demerits may be issued if this policy is not followed. Only the official form, available in the Student Life Office, is accepted.
For absences of three or more days, a doctor’s note is required along with the official form. Notes must be submitted at the time of absence; late submissions will not be accepted.
Unexcused absences exceeding 22 days require attendance at Diocesan Summer School. Seniors who exceed this limit may not participate in Baccalaureate Mass or Graduation; diplomas are issued upon successful completion of Summer School.
Students who miss four class periods in a day—including those sent home by the school nurse or attending appointments—are counted absent for that day.
Students may not participate in school activities on days they are absent. In limited cases, approval for participation may be granted by the Assistant Principal for Student Life. Failure to comply may result in removal from the event.
Routine appointments (medical, dental, job interviews, driving tests, college visits, etc.) should be scheduled outside school hours, on free days, or during vacations and are not routinely excused.
Parents are responsible for keeping contact information up to date in PowerSchool for absence, lateness, or emergency communication.
Lateness
A bell will ring at 8:00 AM, at which time each student must be in her assigned seat in homeroom. A student who arrives after the 8:00am bell is late for school, and must report to the Student Services Office for a late pass before going to her locker or to her homeroom.
Students are required to serve a lunch detention for all unexcused lateness after three. Students late more than 10 times unexcused will be assigned to a Saturday detention; parents will be notified. A parental interview will be required for seniors who make no attempt to improve in this regard.
If an early morning appointment causes lateness, verification of the appointment is to be brought to Student Life in order to receive an excused late pass. Reasons for lateness are to be noted on the late pass; in certain cases a parent’s note is also required. Unexcused lateness will count against a perfect attendance record. A 'Perfect Attendance' certificate is awarded only to those students who have been present and on time each school day.