Absences from school may have an adverse affect on the academic achievement and grades of students.  If your child is experiencing difficulty with course work or earning poor grades, it is our recommendation that the requested trip be planned on non-school days.  It is the responsibility of the student and parent to notify individual teachers of an anticipated absence and to make up all work and tests missed.  The student should see teachers upon returning to insure that all assignments have been completed.

Excessive absenteeism generally results in decreased academic achievement.  In an effort to prevent this, Southern Lehigh schools will communicate with parents on a timely basis through teachers, counselors, administrators, and through letters, electronic communications, and conferences.   The principal/ assistant principal reserves the right to require verification of illness by a doctor's excuse or attendance at an appointment/ judicial appointment at any time.  Absences in excess of 10 school days in a given school year must be covered by a doctor's excuse or they may be considered unexcused.  If an illness is chronic or severe such that extended or frequent absences is anticipated, a doctor's excuse should be presented to the school nurse.  This excuse should explain the nature of the illness.

Time away from school for educational trips counts toward the 10 day limit.  In exceptional situations, an administrator may waive this limit after a thorough review of all circumstances.  (Reference Title 22, Section 11.26; SLSD Policy No. 204 Attendance).  Any unexcused absence may result in the loss of credit for any work missed on the day of absence.