PARENT GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT ABSENCE
The School Laws of Pennsylvania classify absences as unexcused or illegal
except for the following reasons: illness of the pupil, death in the family,
Quarantine, and "exceptional urgent reasons" that affect the child.
This is a requirement for special as well as regular
education students.
According to the Parent & Student Handbook, any day a student is
absent, parents/guardians are required to do the following:
1) Call school (215 269-1490) in the MORNING by 8:30 AM
2) Identify yourself, the day and your child’s name.
3) State the reason your child will be absent.
** In cases where a student is absent 3 or more consecutive days,
a doctor’s note is needed.
For very important legal and safety purposes, the school also needs
a signed letter or form in writing from you stating these important facts:
Child's Name:_________________ ___________
Date(s) of Absence: _________________ ______
Reason for the absence: ______________ ______
The School Laws of Pennsylvania classify absences as unexcused or illegal
except for the following reasons: illness of the pupil, death in the family,
Quarantine, and "exceptional urgent reasons" that affect the child.
This is a requirement for special as well as regular
education students.
According to the Parent & Student Handbook, any day a student is
absent, parents/guardians are required to do the following:
1) Call school (215 269-1490) in the MORNING by 8:30 AM
2) Identify yourself, the day and your child’s name.
3) State the reason your child will be absent.
** In cases where a student is absent 3 or more consecutive days,
a doctor’s note is needed.
For very important legal and safety purposes, the school also needs
a signed letter or form in writing from you stating these important facts:
Child's Name:_________________ ___________
Date(s) of Absence: _________________ ______
Reason for the absence: ______________ ______
Copies of the following absentee forms may be used to make this easy.
*************************************************************
NOTE FOR ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
TODAY'S DATE:_______________________
STUDENT NAME:_______________________
DATES OF ABSENCE:___________________
My child has been absent from school for the
following reason(s):
[ ] Illness
[ ] Doctor's appointment
[ ] Death in the family
[ ] Bad weather
[ ] Transportation
[ ] Other _______________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
STUDENT NAME:_______________________
DATES OF ABSENCE:___________________
My child has been absent from school for the
following reason(s):
[ ] Illness
[ ] Doctor's appointment
[ ] Death in the family
[ ] Bad weather
[ ] Transportation
[ ] Other _______________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
A doctor's note is required for 3 successive days of absence.
*************************************************************
God Lives Under The Bed (Author Unknown)
I envy Kevin.
My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that’s what I heard
him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped
to listen, “Are you there, God?” he said. “Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the
bed.” I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room.
Kevin’s unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night
something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the
very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled
as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he’s 6-foot-2),
there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he
always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed,
that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas
and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different.
Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled,
home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-
cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme
is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother
with her newborn child. He does not seem dissatisfied. He lops out to the
bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove
before dinner, and he stays ulp ate twice a week to gather our dirty
laundry for his next day’s laundry chores. And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of
Saturdays! That’s the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have
a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination
of each passenger inside.
“That one’s goin’ to Chi-car-go!” Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn’t know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power, and he
does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food
he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries
that one day they may not be. His hands are diligent. Kevin is never
so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher
or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not
shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job
until it is finished.
But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not
obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept,
and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is
not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry.
He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ,
he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God—to really be friends
with Him in a way that is difficult for an “educated” person to grasp.
God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy
the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing
to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my
mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap —I am.
My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances—
they all become disabilitieswhen I do not trust them to God’s care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn?
After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence,
praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are
all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I’ll realize that
God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that
God lived under his bed.
**********************************************************************
A Parent's Prayer
Loving God, Help me give my children the best... not of trappings
or toys, but of myself, cherishing them on good days and bad, theirs
and mine.
Teach me to accept them for who they are, not for what they do; to listen to what they say, if only so they will listen to me; to encourage
their goals, not mine; and please, let me laugh with them and be silly.
Let me give them a home where respect is the cornerstone,
integrity the foundation, and there is enough happiness to raise the roof.
May I give them the courage to be true to themselves; the independence
to take care of themselves and the faith to believe in a Power much greater
than their own.See that I discipline my children without demeaning them,
demand good manners without forgetting my own and let them know
they have limitless love, no matter what they do.
Let me feed them properly, clothe them adequately and have enough to
give them small allowances... not for the work they do but the pleasure
they bring.
And let me be moderate in all these things,
so the joyof getting will help them discover the joy of giving.
See that their responsibilities are real but not burdensome,
that my expectations are high but not overwhelming and that my
thanks and praise are thoughtful and given when they're due.
Help me teach them that excellence is work's real reward,
and not the glory it brings. But when it comes, and it will, let me
revel in each honor, however small, without once pretending
that it's mine; my children are glories enough.
Above all, let me ground these children so well that I can
dare to let them go. And may they be so blessed.
******************************************************************************************
Some Safety Tips for Parents in Talking to Children
about Violence
High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse
and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their
friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for
information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school
personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of
normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.
Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are
very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay
when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help
put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these
feelings appropriately. Make time to talk. Let their questions be
your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient.
Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily.
Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering
around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children
prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet.
Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing,
looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them
identify and express their feelings.
I envy Kevin.
My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that’s what I heard
him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped
to listen, “Are you there, God?” he said. “Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the
bed.” I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room.
Kevin’s unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night
something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the
very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled
as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he’s 6-foot-2),
there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he
always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed,
that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas
and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different.
Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled,
home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-
cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme
is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother
with her newborn child. He does not seem dissatisfied. He lops out to the
bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove
before dinner, and he stays ulp ate twice a week to gather our dirty
laundry for his next day’s laundry chores. And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of
Saturdays! That’s the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have
a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination
of each passenger inside.
“That one’s goin’ to Chi-car-go!” Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn’t know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power, and he
does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food
he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries
that one day they may not be. His hands are diligent. Kevin is never
so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher
or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not
shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job
until it is finished.
But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not
obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept,
and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is
not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry.
He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ,
he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God—to really be friends
with Him in a way that is difficult for an “educated” person to grasp.
God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy
the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing
to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my
mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap —I am.
My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances—
they all become disabilitieswhen I do not trust them to God’s care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn?
After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence,
praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are
all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I’ll realize that
God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that
God lived under his bed.
**********************************************************************
A Parent's Prayer
Loving God, Help me give my children the best... not of trappings
or toys, but of myself, cherishing them on good days and bad, theirs
and mine.
Teach me to accept them for who they are, not for what they do; to listen to what they say, if only so they will listen to me; to encourage
their goals, not mine; and please, let me laugh with them and be silly.
Let me give them a home where respect is the cornerstone,
integrity the foundation, and there is enough happiness to raise the roof.
May I give them the courage to be true to themselves; the independence
to take care of themselves and the faith to believe in a Power much greater
than their own.See that I discipline my children without demeaning them,
demand good manners without forgetting my own and let them know
they have limitless love, no matter what they do.
Let me feed them properly, clothe them adequately and have enough to
give them small allowances... not for the work they do but the pleasure
they bring.
And let me be moderate in all these things,
so the joyof getting will help them discover the joy of giving.
See that their responsibilities are real but not burdensome,
that my expectations are high but not overwhelming and that my
thanks and praise are thoughtful and given when they're due.
Help me teach them that excellence is work's real reward,
and not the glory it brings. But when it comes, and it will, let me
revel in each honor, however small, without once pretending
that it's mine; my children are glories enough.
Above all, let me ground these children so well that I can
dare to let them go. And may they be so blessed.
******************************************************************************************
Some Safety Tips for Parents in Talking to Children
about Violence
High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse
and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their
friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for
information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school
personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of
normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.
Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are
very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay
when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help
put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these
feelings appropriately. Make time to talk. Let their questions be
your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient.
Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily.
Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering
around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children
prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet.
Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing,
looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them
identify and express their feelings.
