Attendance

At Vision Academy Charter School, we recognize that consistent attendance is essential to academic success. Classroom learning is an interactive process—students gain not only from lessons but also from discussions, collaboration, and shared experiences. Every day counts. Once enrolled, every student is expected to attend school regularly and on time unless a lawful or excused reason exists.

Regular Attendance Expectations

Students are required to attend school daily and remain for the full instructional day unless excused for illness, injury, family emergency, or approved religious observance.

Parents and guardians must ensure their children attend school each day and notify the main office of any absence.

Excused Absences

Absences will be excused only for the following reasons, with proper documentation:

  • Illness or injury
  • Death in the immediate family or verified family emergency
  • Medical, dental, or mental health appointments (with documentation)
  • Religious holidays or observances
  • Court appearances or legal obligations
  • Other reasons approved by the school administration in advance

Students are responsible for making up any missed work regardless of the reason for absence.

Excuse Notes and Documentation

An Attendance Excuse Form must be submitted online within three (3) days of each absence.

  • Families may submit parent excuse notes for up to 10 absences per school year.
  • After the 10th absence, a doctor’s note, funeral card, or other supporting documentation will be required for all additional absences.
  • Any absence lasting three (3) or more consecutive days must be supported by a doctor’s note or other official documentation, regardless of the total number of absences to date.
  • If documentation is not received within three days of the student’s return, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

Note: Family vacations during school days are considered unexcused and may place a student at risk for excessive absences.

Retention Based on Attendance

Students who accumulate more than 21 total absences (excused and unexcused combined) during a school year may be retained in their current grade level.

Tardy Policy

Arriving at school on time is an important life skill. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by the official start of the day.

Each student may accumulate three (3) unexcused tardies per half year. Continued tardiness may result in the following progressive interventions:

  1. Warning and counseling
  2. Parent meeting
  3. Detention or community service
  4. Attendance improvement contract

Chronic tardiness may result in disciplinary consequences and a possible referral to the Student Attendance Improvement Conference process.

Truancy Procedures

Under Pennsylvania law:

  • A student with three (3) unexcused absences is considered truant.
  • The school will notify the parent/guardian in writing within ten (10) school days.
  • A student with six (6) or more unexcused absences is considered habitually truant.
  • The school will schedule a Student Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC) and may refer the case to the County Children & Youth Agency (CYS) or file a citation in magisterial district court.

Vision Academy Charter School reports all unexcused absences to the Pennsylvania Department of Education through PIMS (Pennsylvania Information Management System).

Early Dismissal Requests

To ensure smooth operations and student safety:

  • Early dismissals must be requested by emailing secretary@vacharter.org with the student’s full name and pickup time.
  • Only adults listed on the child’s authorized contact list may pick up a student, and ID will be verified.
  • Parents should arrive before 2:30 PM (Mon–Thu) or before 12:15 PM (Fri) for early dismissals.
  • Written permission (email) is required if someone other than the parent/guardian is picking up the child. The individual must be 18 years or older.

Dismissal and Late Pick-Up

  • Regular dismissal begins at 3:20 PM.
  • All students must be picked up no later than 3:45 PM.
  • After a 15-minute grace period, a $25 aftercare fee will be charged.
  • Students remaining after 5:00 PM may be escorted to the local police station for safety.

School-Sponsored Activities

Students participating in school-approved trips, competitions, or events are not considered absent. Assignments must be completed before the scheduled activity.

Teachers and administration reserve the right to restrict participation if academic or behavioral expectations are not being met.

Attendance Excuse Form