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Derry Township School District

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Checking Your Child's Attendance

The Derry Township School District firmly believes that regular attendance at school is crucial for your child to receive a high-quality education throughout the academic year. Research indicates a positive correlation between attendance and academic achievement. Consequently, a maximum of five (5) cumulative lawful absences, as confirmed by parental notification, may be allowed within a school year. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) advises that all absences should be considered unlawful until the District receives a written explanation detailing the reasons for the absence. Therefore, parents/guardians and students must provide a written excuse within three (3) calendar days of the absence. Failure to provide a written explanation within three (3) days may result in the absence being permanently marked as unlawful.

Parents/Guardians can check their child’s attendance record in ParentVUE at any time. It's a good idea to check in from time to time to confirm your child’s attendance is documented accurately. Below are the absence codes and definitions used by the District.

Absence Definitions

There are three types of absences:

  • Exempt – Absences that are accompanied by the proper documentation within three (3) school days from the students return to school.  These absences are considered excused absences, but are not counted towards the maximum of five (5) lawful absences as noted above.
  • Non-exempt – Absences that are accompanied with a note from a parent or guardian within three (3) school days from the students return to school.  These absences are considered excused absences, but are counted towards the maximum of five (5) lawful absences as noted above.
  • Unlawful – Absences that are not accompanied by a written explanation within three (3) school days from the students return to school, or, absences that are accompanied by a note from a parent or guardian within three (3) school days from the students return to school but for a non-exempt reason.

Excused and Exempt Absences

  • AA - Administrative Approval
    • Family emergencies - approved by the building principal
  • AAB - Approved Outplacement
  • CA - Court Appearance - verified by the court
  • CV - College Visit
  • DR - Doctors Note
    • Illness/injury - verified by a physician’s note
    • Medical/dental appointment - verified by a physician’s note
    • Quarantine - verified by a physician’s note
  • EDT - Educational Trip
  • EXS - Excused Athletic Activity
  • FLD - Field Trip
  • FNL - Funeral
  • ISS - In-School Suspension
  • N - Nurses Office
  • OSS - Out of School Suspension

Excused and Non-Exempt Absences

  • EXC - Excused Absence (Parent Note)
    • College Visits - submitted after the occurrence of the visit
    • Court Attendance - submitted without being verified by the court
    • Educational Tours/Trips - submitted after the occurrence of the tour or trip
    • Illness/injury - submitted without being verified by a physician’s note
    • Medical/dental appointment - submitted without being verified by a physician’s note
    • Quarantine - submitted without being verified by a physician’s note

Tardy Codes

  • EXT - Excused Tardy
  • UXT - Unexcused Tardy

Other Codes

  • ABP - Absent Reported by Parent in ParentVUE but not verified by the school
  • HB - Homebound Instruction
  • FLX - Flex Code (High School Only)
  • FED - Flex Early Dismissal (High School Only)
  • ICH - Instruction Conducted in the Home
  • P - Present
  • UNL - Unlawful Absence