School Board policy 204 Attendance requires that the parent submit an excuse in writing.
It is important to note that students are encouraged to notify their teachers if they are going to miss a class. However, policy 204 states that the written excuse must come from the parent for tardy, early dismissal, half, or full day absences.
Shaler Area Middle School teachers take period by period attendance. The attendance portal no longer exists. Students must participate in remote learning for each period, beginning with homeroom. A teacher will mark the student absent if they are not participating. If there is a question about a specific period, please email the teacher directly. If a student missed 6 or more periods in a day, they will be marked “I” illegal absence and will require a written parent email.
If a student has a doctor’s appointment, parents are welcome to email us with doctor’s notes or information that the student was absent from (for example: from 9am to 12:00pm) so that attendance can be marked correctly. If a student needs an early dismissal (for example: at 1:45pm and not returning), parents should email us that information.
Thank you, Lynn Galbraith, Guidance/Attendance Secretary