Absentee Notes, Physician excuses or any other questions regarding absences can be emailed to slmsabsences@slsd.org.

Attendance Information, Rules and General Procedures

• Students who request an early dismissal must bring a note from home to the office before homeroom. This note should include a parent/guardian signature, the reason and time of the appointment, and the name and telephone number of the destination.
• Arriving at school between 9:00 and 11:00 is considered a half day absence.
• Not reporting to school or arriving after 11:00 AM is considered a full day absence.
• Students must turn in written absence excuses to the main office within three school days following an absence. If the excuse is not turned in on the third day at school following the absence, the absence will remain unexcused.
• Unexcused Absences In accordance with state regulation (24P.S.131327) "All absences should be treated as unlawful until the school district receives a written excuse explaining the reason(s) for an absence.
• Parents/guardians and students should submit the written explanation within three calendar days of the absence, the absence would be permanently counted as unlawful." All student absences are considered unlawful until the district receives a written excuse.
• Students are considered to be excessively absent if they are absent more than ten days during the school year. All absences in excess of ten days during the school year will be coded excused only if the student turns in an "official" medical/dental/judicial agency excuse. All unexcused absences may result in the assignment of a Saturday detention (Level III violation).
• Truancy is defined as being absent from school or leaving school without prior permission from parents/guardians or the school (the willful intent to skip school). There are times when a student's absence can be considered truancy even if it is permitted by the parents/guardians. Truancy results in the assignment of a detention, the loss of credit in all classes that were missed.
• Pre-approval is required for all educational trips. The approval form must be turned in to the office at least one day before the absence. If this is not done, the absence will be considered unexcused. An adult must accompany students on educational trips. Students on a college visit must have an appointment to meet an official college representative. Students must turn in to the office a signed statement from the college representative and a telephone number must be provided so the visitation can be confirmed.

Tardiness to School

Southern Lehigh Middle School students must be in the Homeroom by 7:40 AM. Students who are tardy to school must report to the main office and sign in or if attending virtually; email slmsabsences@slsd.org when they begin class. If the student does not have an acceptable excuse (an “excused tardy” must be accompanied by a medical or judicial note) when he or she signs in (or within the next three school days) the following chart outlines the corresponding discipline. Tardiness after 9:00 am (unexcused) is considered an unexcused absence. Students are not excused for oversleeping, missing the bus, traffic, etc.

 Athletic Implications

• In order for a student athlete to participate in any athletic activity, including practice, he/she must be in attendance at school before 9:00 AM on the day of the activity. Pre-approved educational trips, college visits, funerals, and medical/dental appointments are exceptions to this rule. The Middle School Principal or his/her designee is the only person that may waive the 9:00 AM rule. Students must be in school at start time prior to all doctor appointments after 9:00 AM until appointment dismissal time and all students must return to school with a doctor’s note. For example, school starts at 7:40 AM and the doctor’s appointment is at 9:30 AM, the student athlete must report to school on time and follow normal sign out procedures. A student who is absent from school may attend an activity as a spectator if the activity is open to the public.
• A student athlete who leaves early during the school day may not participate in a practice or contest unless prior permission is granted by the building Principal or the Coordinator of Athletic Services. If the student athlete leaves school early to attend a doctor appointment, he/she must bring a note from the doctor verifying the appointment. This note must be given to the Coordinator of Athletic Services, Athletic Trainer or Coach. If the student athlete returns to the practice/game without the doctor note, he/she will not be permitted to participate.
• A student athlete who is out of school suspended is not eligible to participate in school activities from the time the disciplinary action starts. He/she becomes eligible at 7:40 AM of the school day immediately following the last day of suspension. Therefore, a student out of school suspended on a Friday is not eligible for any weekend activities.