Attendance

Every day counts! Regular attendance helps students learn, build friendships, and stay connected.

Attendance is required by law. Students should attend school every day unless there is a valid reason. If your child is absent, the school will notify you by email, text, and phone. Please make sure your contact information is up to date. You can review or update it at any time by contacting your school office or logging in to the Skyward Family Access Portal.

Reporting An Absence

Send a written excuse within 3 days of the absence
The first 10 absences may be excused with a parent/guardian note
After 10 absences, a medical note is required for any additional absences (regardless of whether any of the first 10 absences were excused with a doctor’s note)

You can email notes to the addresses below. For more details, see School Board Policy 204.

Cumulative Minutes and Measuring Attendance at the High School

We know that time in class is important. In high school, attendance is measured by the time
students spend in class.
This means:

Attendance is tracked by total minutes
Missing part of the day adds up over time

Examples:

Missing 1 period in a 9-period day = 1/9 of a day absent
Missing 1 period in a 5-period day = 1/5 of a day absent

Partial absences (late arrivals, early dismissals, or missed classes) count toward the 10 parent-
excused absences allowed each year.

Reporting and Notification

The process for reporting absences stays the same as other schools

Timely notes are important to avoid unexcused absences
If your child misses 1st period, you will be notified by 9:40 a.m.
If your child misses other periods, you will receive a message after 4:00 p.m.

You can check attendance anytime in the Skyward Family Access Portal.

Important Details

Excused/Lawful Absences

Absences may be excused for the following reasons:

Illness or being sent home by school staff
Medical or therapy appointments
Family emergency
Recovery from an accident
Required court appearance
Death in the family
Religious holidays (with prior request)
Pre-approved non-school-sponsored educational trips or college visits
Participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group (with prior request)
Other urgent situations (including homelessness or foster care)

The district may limit how often or how long some absences are allowed.

Unexcused Absences

Attendance Support

Under Pennsylvania law, a student is considered truant after accumulating three (3) unexcused absences.
Once a student meets this threshold, the District is required to initiate the truancy process, which includes:
- Issuing a Notice of Violation (NOV) letter
- Initiating the Student Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC) process if the student accumulates one additional unexcused absence after the NOV is issued.
The SAIC process is designed to identify barriers to attendance, develop supportive interventions, and establish an attendance improvement plan with the student and family.

Flexible Instruction Days (FIDS)

Flexible Instruction Days are held virtually utilizing District technology students bring home. Students are expected to participate in all Flexible Instruction Days, as these are regular school days.

If your child does not participate, you must submit a written excuse within 3 days of the absence.

Flexible Instruction Days for the 2026 - 2027 school year will be activated when three (3) closure days for weather or emergencies have been completed.

TCHS Attendance

Field Trips and Job Shadowing

Vacations During the School Year

Vacations during the school year are discouraged because they interrupt student learning.

If a family vacation is necessary:

Submit a Vacation Request Form to the building principal at least two weeks in advance
Contact your child’s teacher to plan for missed work

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Vacations will not be approved during state testing (PSSA)
Total absences, including vacation, illness, and other reasons, may not exceed 10 school days

Regular attendance is important for student success. Families are encouraged to plan vacations during scheduled school breaks whenever possible.

For Reference

Print out this handy sheet (in English and Spanish) to refer to our Attendance rules.

Attendance Support Sheet

KCSD Board Policy on Attendance (No. 204)

Child ill blowing her nose while sitting on a chair wrapped in a blanket

Absence Notes

Absence Note (English)

Absence Note (Spanish)

Extended Absence Note (English)

Extended Absence Note (Spanish)

Where do I send my absence note?

Written notes must be submitted within three (3) days of an absence and can be sent via email, Talking Points, or sent back to school with your child. See the email addresses for the Attendance Clerk at your school below. Late arrival or early dismissal should always be communicated to the Attendance Clerk via email.