Attendance

Upon return to school after an absence, the student must present a written excuse for the absence regardless of previous verbal communications with school personnel. This excuse must be submitted to the Attendance Office within three (3) days upon return to school.

The parent must state the specific reason for the absence and sign and date the note. If no written excuse note is submitted to the Attendance Office within 3 days of return to schools, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

If a change in dismissal is necessary, a note with the date, time of dismissal, student name, homeroom teacher and reason for dismissal must be provided to the attendance office or homeroom teacher at the beginning of the school day. You may also email the attendance office of your child's school.

Print Change of Dismissal Form

Children will be granted permission to leave school for medical appointments. However, every attempt should be made to schedule appointments outside of the school day. 

An email or note must be submitted to the Attendance or Main Office first thing in the morning, giving the date and time of the child’s anticipated departure time.

At the elementary level, the parent/guardian is to report to the school office to pick up the child. 

If you are planning to take your child on a family trip while school is in session, WSD Board Policy #204 allows for up to five days of non-school sponsored travel per school year. Parents/Guardians planning such a trip should complete the Family Travel Acknowledgement Form and return it to the principal of the school. These five or fewer days count in the fifteen days of cumulative lawful absences as referenced in the Attendance section of Student and Family Handbooks.

Students must be in the classroom by the defined start of the school day.

• Wissahickon High School: 7:37 a.m.
• Wissahickon Middle School: 7:35 a.m.
• Blue Bell and Stony Creek: 8:35 a.m.
• Lower Gwynedd and Shady Grove: 8:30 a.m. 

If it is necessary for your child to be tardy, please call or email the Attendance Office.  Upon arrival at school, the student must report to the main office to sign in and provide a note stating the reason for tardiness. 

Truancy, which is unlawful absence from school according to Pennsylvania State Code, and other unexcused absences from school will not be tolerated. Truancy will result in the assignment of school discipline. Administration may request a parent conference to enact a Truancy Elimination Plan or other measures. Each case will be referred to the Home and School Visitor for appropriate legal action, which may include a parent conference, a court notice, a court hearing and possibly fines.