The Board of School Directors of McKeesport Area School District have revised the attendance policy.  It reflects more stringent guidelines in the effort to improve attendance and therefore improve student success.  The following are the important excerpts.  The complete policy can be obtained by contacting the High School.
     The board requires that school aged pupils attend school regularly.  The educational program offered by this district is predicated upon the presence of the pupil and requires continuity of instruction and class participation.
     Continued attendance violations may warrant the suspension or expulsion of the student from the regular school program or from a particular class.  The Board may report to appropriate authorities infractions of the law regarding the attendance of students below age seventeen (17).
     The Board adopts the following in case of any student, regardless of age who is habitually absent:
     Absences should be at a minimum and only for legitimate reason.  For absences beyond five (5) school days, a doctor's excuse may be necessary.  Written notification will be sent to the parents, and a parental conference will be held.  After twenty (20) absences, a written notification will be sent to parents, and a citation for a hearing will be issued at this point.  Continued and excessive absenteeism may result in:
1.  Retention.
2.  Expulsion.
3.  Loss of credit.
4.  Loss of privilege to attend and/or participate in school activities.
5.  Referrals to community agencies.

Tardiness to School
"Little Late is Too Late"

     If you arrive late to school, you must report DIRECTLY to the main office for an admit slip.  If you have been detained in the office, or by a teacher, ask for a slip from that person who detained you before going to your next class.  Repeated tardiness will result in detention/suspension.
     A student may be tardy two (2) times to school in a six-week grading period.  Upon the third unexcused tardy, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian, and detention will be served.  Four (4) or more tardies in a grading period may result in a Saturday detention.  If a student accumulates nine (9) lates to various classes in a grading period this is equivalent to three (3) class cuts, which results in suspension from school.

Saturday Detention Policy

1.  Student will report at 9:00 a.m. on the Saturday issued to Room 112.  No student will be
     admitted after 9:00 a.m.
2.  Silence is observed throughout the detention.
3.  Students will be seated and begin to work on educational material.  Students are advised
     to bring work to complete.  If not, work will be issued.
4.  Reading comics, magazines, sporting books and newspapers are not permitted.
5.  No food or drink is permitted.
6.  Office phone is not available.  Pay phones are located in the building.
7.  Transportation arrangements will be the responsibility of the student.
8.  Failure to serve a Saturday detention will result in a suspension.

Detention Policy

     Students may be assigned detention by the attendance office or any member of the faculty.  This is for those students with undesirable patterns of attendance, tardiness, or conduct as well as other disciplinary problems.  Students assigned to detention are to report to the room designated on the detention notice at the time given and for the number of days assigned.  Each student is to have sufficient materials during detention and is to cooperate with the detention supervisor.  Any student who does not abide by the regulations of the detention period may be suspended from school.

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