Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students:

The Wayne Highlands School District has implemented a new attendance policy in the 2018-2019 school year. You may also read the policy more in detail in our Student Handbook. Below is an exert from the student handbook. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Assistant Principal, Mr. Jerry Burns at the Wayne Highlands Middle School or Principal, Dr. Peter Jordan.

Sincerely,
Wayne Highlands School District

ATTENDANCE

ABSENCE

Sickness of the student or some other urgent necessity making attendance or punctuality impossible shall be the only legitimate excuses for absence or tardiness.For the safety of all children, daily attendance phone calls may be made to the home of each child absent from school.Parents are asked to call the school on days your child is absent letting the school know that your child is safe at home with you. (570-253-5900). Students who arrive late to school or leave early from school will not be eligible for perfect attendance.

Upon your student’s return to school after an absence, a written excuse from a parent, guardian, or medical practitioner is required.This written excuse must state the DATE(S) of the absence, REASON for the absence, and bear the SIGNATURE of the parent, guardian, or medical practitioner.This excuse must be presented to the homeroom teacher immediately upon return.If such excuse is not presented within three (3) days, the absence will be considered unexcused and illegal, and the student and parent may be subject to all penalties specified in Section 1333 of the Pennsylvania School Code.If the reason for the absence is satisfactory, a student is entitled to make up all work.

We all want success for your child! We want that success in many facets of your child’s life. One of the most important things you can do for your child’s future is encourage strong school attendance. The research is clear. Regular attendance at school will help your child learn more successfully (better grades), cultivate healthy lifestyle habits, develop a strong sense of connection with regard to community/relationships and avoid unhealthy behaviors. Studies have shown that as early as kindergarten, even if a student misses just two school days per month, the impact is negative. Good school attendance is IMPORTANT.

The Wayne Highlands School District has always and will continue to promote regular school attendance because we know it plays a large part in your child’s success now and in the future. With this in mind, in an effort to promote good school attendance, the Wayne Highlands School District has established that in order to receive full academic credit and to be in good standing, no student shall miss more than 15 days of school per academic year. The school will only accept 10 parent notes for the entire school year.After 10 parent notes a medical excuse will be required.