Adopted: 8/17/26
Regular attendance is essential to student success. Students are expected to attend school every day that school is in session unless excused for a valid reason. FCS has adopted an attendance policy that is aligned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Basic Education Circular 24 P.S. §§ 13-1326 – 1354 .
Excused Absences
Examples of excused absences may include:
- Personal illness
- Medical or dental appointments (please schedule outside of school hours whenever possible)
- Family emergencies
- Religious observances
- Educational trips approved in advance by the school
- Court appearances or legal obligations
- Other reasons approved by school administration
Parents/guardians should notify the school as soon as possible when a student will be absent.
Parents/guardians may excuse up to six (6) student absences due to illness during a school year by submitting a written parent/guardian note within three (3) school days of the student’s return. Beginning with the eighth (8th) illness-related absence, a physician’s note may be required for any additional illness absences to be recorded as excused. The school reserves the right to require medical documentation at any time when there is a pattern of excessive absences or when otherwise permitted by law.
Unlawful Absences
Absences that do not meet excused criteria under Pennsylvania law may be recorded as unlawful. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that schools send an annual report of unlawful absences at the end of each school year.
The school will work collaboratively with families to address attendance concerns and support regular school attendance.
Attendance Interventions at Fell Charter School will follow this progression:
| Absence Level | School Response |
| Every absence | Same-day phone call home |
| 3 unlawful absences | Notice and warning letter emailed home |
| 5 unlawful absences | Notice and warning letter emailed home |
| 6 unlawful absences | Student Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC) to create a Student Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP), which includes a referral to the school SAP team |
| 8 absences | Notice that physician notes may be required |
| Chronic absenteeism threshold (10% of school days) | Additional attendance conference and possible follow-up with local agencies for truancy |
Tardiness
Students are expected to arrive on time each day. Repeated tardiness may negatively affect student learning and may result in parent conferences or attendance interventions.
Early Dismissals
For student safety, students may only be released to authorized individuals listed on the student’s emergency contact information unless other arrangements have been approved by the school.
Attendance Expectations
Participation in extracurricular activities, athletics, performances, clubs, field trips, and other school-sponsored events is considered a privilege. Students are expected to demonstrate appropriate attendance, academic effort, and behavior in order to participate.
The Principal or designee may restrict participation in extracurricular activities when a student’s attendance, behavior, or academic performance substantially interferes with the student’s ability to participate successfully or safely.