Attendance & Absences

Attendance & Absences

Attendance Policy

The BASD works closely with families to promote healthy attendance and prompt arrival to school. It is imperative that students attend school regularly in order to benefit from a formal education. An excuse must be turned in using the Beaver Elementary Schools Absence Excuse Form for all absences, even if you have notified the school.

All excuses should be submitted to Pella Maris. Any communication regarding absences should be sent to Mrs. Maris at [email protected]. If no qualifying excuse is received, the absence will be recorded as an unexcused absence.

Tardy/Absent Times for a Regular School Day 
  • Student arriving after 8:30 a.m. and before 10:00 a.m. will be marked tardy.

  • Students arriving after 10:00 a.m. and before 1:30 p.m. will be marked absent for the morning.

  • Students leaving before 1:30 p.m. will be marked absent for the afternoon.

  • Students leaving after 1:30 p.m. and before 3:05 p.m. will be marked as an early release.

  • Students arriving after 1:30 p.m. will be marked absent for the whole day.


Tardy/Absent Times for a Two (2) Hour Delay Day 
  • Students arriving after 10:30 a.m. and before 12:00 p.m. will be marked tardy.

  • Students arriving after 12:00 p.m. and before 1:30 p.m. will be marked absent for the morning.

  • Students leaving before 1:30 p.m. will be marked absent for the afternoon.

  • Students leaving after 1:30 p.m. and before 3:05 p.m. will be marked as an early release.

  • Students arriving after 1:30 p.m. will be marked absent for the whole da


The rules and regulations governing attendance are as follows


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.


  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.



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.

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


Student Responsibility 

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange to make up work missed during absences. Students should check online resources and check-in with teachers on the day he/she returns to school following an absence. The student may receive a zero if the assignment(s) is(are) not completed in a reasonable amount of time.

Please consult the Dutch Ridge Student Handbook for information about the following:

Early Dismissals
Extended Absences
Family Trips

Board Policy 204 Attendance

Absence Excuse Form

When you know your child will be absent, please notify the attendance office at Dutch Ridge by sending an email to Pella Maris at [email protected]  The email will count as the excuse.  If you wish to send a written excuse, please use the Elementary Absence Form.pdf.

Family Trip Form

For students taking family trips or extended absences during the school year, please submit this form at least 5 days in advance of the trip.

Attendance Contact

Mrs. Pella Maris
724 774 0250 ext. 3802

Beaver County TIP - Truancy Intervention Program

From the Health Office

Concerning illness, students should be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school.  Students should also remain home for 24 hours after vomit or diarrhea has ended.
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