The Hatboro-Horsham School District has established a comprehensive set of attendance procedures and policies (Policy 204) to ensure that students maintain regular attendance, which is crucial for academic success and personal growth. The district emphasizes the importance of attending school daily, as consistent attendance is directly linked to higher academic achievement and improved social skills. The policies are designed to be supportive yet firm, ensuring that students and families understand their responsibilities regarding attendance.

Absence: Absence is defined as a student's nonattendance on a day school is in session.

Compulsory School Age: The period from when a child's parents elect to have the child enter school, which shall be no later than age six (6) until age eighteen (18). (Compulsory Age)

Excused Absence: Excused absence refers to an absence for legal reasons. Legal absences may be classified into two groups: nonattendance due to unpreventable causes and nonattendance due to other legal reasons. Excuse notes will need to be received within three (3) days of the absence.

A student's absence is considered excused for the following reasons:

• Illness

• Family emergency

• Death of a family member

• Medical or dental appointments

• Authorized school activities

• Religious holidays

• Court appearances

Unexcused Absence: School policy defines an unexcused absence as one that occurs when no excuse note from a parent or guardian has been provided to the school.

A student's absence is considered unexcused (regardless of excuse note) for the following reasons:

• Oversleeping

• Missing the bus

• Family vacations without prior approval

Unlawful Absence: Unlawful absence is an unexcused absence for all students of compulsory school age – absences where a written excuse note has not been received within three (3) days of the absence.

Tardiness: Absence of a student at the beginning of any morning or afternoon session, provided the student is in attendance before the close of that session.

Excused Tardiness: Absence of a student at the beginning of any morning or afternoon session due to any of the reasons that may be excused for a full-day absence.

Unexcused Tardiness: Lateness for any reason that does not qualify as "Excused Tardiness."

To excuse an absence, families must provide a written explanation for a child's absence within three (3) school days of the student's return to school. There are a few ways to report an absence:

• Online Reporting (counts as an excuse note): Fill out the online form below

  • Online Attendance Form

• Emailing the School (counts as an excuse note): Excuse notes may be sent to the school with the student (download note here), faxed to the school office, or emailed.

If sending in a note, please include the following:

• Student's name

• Date(s) of absence

• Reason for absence

• Parent or guardian's signature

• Phone (does NOT count as an excuse note): Parent(s)/guardian(s) are expected to report

  a student's absence by calling the absence line no later than the following times on the

  day of the absence or on the first day of a multiple, consecutive day absence depending

  on the nature of the occurrence

Educators in the Hatboro-Horsham School District are dedicated to collaborating with families to tackle attendance challenges that can hinder student involvement and academic achievement. Together, we will strive to find solutions to attendance issues by working closely with families, district staff, and community organizations.

Per 24 P.S. §§ 13-1326 – 1354; Students who are absent from a school for 10 consecutive school days shall be dropped from the active membership roll unless the school is provided with evidence that the absence is legal or compulsory attendance prosecution is being pursued. If the student has an IEP, schools will follow procedures required by IDEA and 22 Pa Code Chapter 14 when disenrolling a student with an IEP.

Students absent for 10 consecutive school days are automatically withdrawn from school on the eleventh day and must be re-enrolled should they return. The building principal and the office of Special Services should be notified prior to the absence if there are extenuating circumstances.

Students who are excessively late (10 or more occurrences) to school, unless there are extenuating circumstances, will be considered truant.

Educational trips should align with scheduled holidays, breaks, and in-service days. The school district has a procedure for parents/guardians to request permission for educational trips for the school year. It's important to note that extended absences may impact a student's grades, as certain class activities like discussions, labs, and group work cannot be replicated. Teachers are not obligated to give assignments to students on vacation in advance.

Educational trips are limited to six (6) days per year, and families must complete and present to the building principal a "Request for Prearranged Absence" form. Telephone requests will not be considered. Families who present the request for prearranged absence less than six (6) full school days prior to the requested absence may be denied the privilege of having the absence considered excused.

Upon notice by the charter or cyber school, designated staff in the school district of residence will send notice by certified mail to a parent/guardian of a charter school student who has accumulated three (3) unlawful absences. The notice will state that any subsequent unlawful absence will result in a citation being filed with the magisterial district judge. Future unlawful absences will be filed by designated district staff with the magisterial district judge. The charter school must cooperate with the school district by providing necessary documentation for the truancy filings and by attending the hearings to provide testimony, if necessary.

Click here to access HHSD's Attendance Manual as a downloadable PDF