All students should report to their homeroom class before the tardy bell rings daily; this bell rings at 7:40 a.m. on a regular school day.  Any student who is late must sign in at the middle school office.  Any requests for an early dismissal should also be submitted to the middle school office prior to the tardy bell.  If students enter the building after the school day begins or are leaving early, they must first report to the middle school office.

Under state law, it is the legal responsibility of the parent/guardian to see that a child’s attendance at school is assured.  Any student absence is considered unverified and unexcused/unlawful until written documentation is provided to the school office.  Written documentation must be provided within three (3) days of a student’s return to school from an absence. 

A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification shall be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten (10) cumulative days shall require an excuse from a licensed practitioner of the healing arts.

A School Attendance Improvement Plan will be developed for unexcused, unlawful absences.

• Upon obtaining three (3) unexcused absences, within ten (10) school days of the third unexcused absence, the school will notify the parent/guardian that the child has been truant.  The school may include, with this notice, an invitation for the parent/guardian to participate in a School Attendance Improvement Conference.

• Upon obtaining six (6) unexcused absences, within ten (10) days of the sixth unexcused absence, if one has not already been held, the school will hold a Student Attendance Improvement Conference.  The school will schedule and invite the student and parent/guardian to the SAIC; the school may also make a referral and invite a representative of the Beaver County Truancy Intervention Program (TIP).  Once this conference has been held and a Student Attendance Improvement Plan has been created, the school may file a citation against the parent/guardian or student in the office of the appropriate magistrate, if the student continues to be truant.

• The student may face school restrictions, including social probation.

1. Students who continue to accumulate illegal/unexcused absences after referral/interventions will be referred to the local district magistrate for full prosecution under PA truancy laws.
   

Once a student accumulates ten (10) or more unexcused/unlawful days, participation in any co-curricular activity and extracurricular activities (including athletics) may be suspended.  

Excused Absences

In accordance with PA State Code and Board Policy #204, the following absences are excused (and require written documentation within 3 school days of a student’s return to school):

• Illness or quarantine, including if a student is dismissed by designated district staff during school hours for health-related reasons.

• Obtaining professional health care or therapy service rendered by a licensed practitioner of the healing art.

• Medical excuse that is submitted within 3 days of a student’s return to school.

• Family emergency.

• Recovery from an accident.

• Required court attendance.

• Death in the family.

• Participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group, upon prior written request.

• Students receiving tutorial instruction in a field not offered in the district’s curricula from a properly qualified tutor, approved by the Superintendent, when the excusal does not interfere with the student’s regular program of studies.  

• Observance of a religious holiday observed by a bona fide religious group, upon written parental request.

• Pre-approved religious instruction that does not exceed 36 hours per school year (specific dates/times to be submitted, in advance, for excusal by the Principal).  Following each absence, the parent/guardian shall submit a statement attesting that the student attended the instruction and include the dates/times of attendance.

• Nonschool-sponsored educational tours or trips, requiring the submission of a BASD Educational Family Trip - Extended Absence Excuse form signed by a parent/guardian, prior to the absence and approved by the Principal.

• College or postsecondary institution visit, with prior approval.

• Other urgent reasons, approved at the discretion of the principal.