Students who exceed eighteen (18) cumulative absences for a year-long course, nine (9) cumulative absences for a half-year course or five (5) cumulative absences for a nine-week course will lose the credit value for the course(s) in question.  This policy applies to all courses, including those provided by the Career Institute of Technology.  The grades issued in the course(s) will appear on the student’s transcript but credit toward promotion/graduation will be forfeited.

 

Credit denial occurs when the number of cumulative absences a student acquires exceeds the specific guidelines.  A student will receive the grade in the course but no credit will be awarded toward graduation.  Credit may be denied for absences from school as well as absences from a class when those combined class absences exceed the specified limits for the length of course (semester course = (9), year course = (18), nine week course = (5)).

 

Absences deemed non-cumulative do not count toward credit denial.  Cumulative absences are distinguished from non-cumulative absences below.  Illness verified by a doctor’s excuse is considered a non-cumulative absence.  Doctor excuses must specify beginning and ending dates and may cover no longer than a ten school day period from the most recent office visit.  Exceptions will be made for severe confining illnesses and hospital stays.

 

Those students involved in programs off site at the Career Institute of Technology, Bethlehem Vo-Tech, the Youth Apprenticeship Program, or another approved vocational technical or college programs will meet the same attendance requirements or lose graduation credit for those study programs.  In cases where the district pays additional cost stipends for student participation, the student will be removed from the program upon validation of credit denial

(C.I.T., Bethlehem Vo-Tech, etc.).

CUMULATIVE ABSENCES

 

Illness covered by parent note or contact.

 

Truancy, class cutting, and all other absences not classified as non-cumulative. 

Three unexcused lates to a class = one class absence.

 

Absences from classes due to missing the bus.

 

Non-school activities while school is in session.

 

Non-approved family vacation.

 

All suspension days (both in and out of school).

 

NON-CUMULATIVE ABSENCES

 

Approved family vacation (generally not in excess of 5 days)

 

Illness verified by doctor’s note.

 

Death in the family.

 

Religious holiday as designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

 

Administrative reasons including but not limited to school trips, school activities, and college visits (up to three total).