There is a clear connection between attendance and academic success. Per Board Policy 204, North Hills School District requires that school age students enrolled in district schools attend school regularly, in accordance with state laws. The educational program offered by the NHSD is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation in order for students to achieve academic standards and consistent educational progress. The interaction of students with one another in the classroom and their participation in planned learning activities under the supervision of the school personnel are vital to the learning process.

Pennsylvania School Code allows only the following reasons for valid excused absences: religious holidays, health care, illness, approved educational trips or other urgent reasons.

Elementary

All elementary student absences should be reported through School Dismissal Manager. A written excuse is not required when a detailed reason for the absence is given in SDM.

Middle School

Middle school student absences should be reported by calling the middle school's attendance line at 412-318-1456. A written excuse must be sent to school within three (3) days. Download the district's absence excuse form at this link.

High School

The high school uses an automated call system for student absences and tardies. Automated courtesy calls are made by late morning so it is not necessary for high school parents/guardians to call the office. If needed, the high school attendance office number is 412-318-1426. A written excuse must be sent to school within three (3) days. Download the district's absence excuse form at this link.

Tardiness to school is to be recorded as excused or unexcused. For a tardy to be considered “excused,” a note from the student’s parent/guardian must be submitted upon arrival the day of the tardiness.

• Excused Tardiness: Religious holiday, health care, illness, verifiable emergency, bereavement, district transportation failure or prior approval by a principal.
• Unexcused Tardiness: Tardiness not covered by the preceding reasons shall be deemed unexcused.

Accumulation of unexcused tardiness to school will result in disciplinary action. Students who drive to school and who are chronically late may have their parking and driving privilege subject to penalty of long-term suspension.

Tardy Guidelines

Highcliff and West View: Students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. will be marked tardy. A student who arrives at school after 11:15 a.m. will be marked absent for the morning session. Students who arrive tardy to school must be signed in by a parent/guardian in the school office.

McIntyre and Ross: Students who arrive after 9:15 a.m. will be marked tardy. A student who arrives at school after 12:00 p.m. will be marked absent for the morning session. Students who arrive tardy to school must be signed in by a parent/guardian in the school office.

Middle School: Students are to report to 1st period by 7:50 a.m. each morning. Students not present at 7:50 a.m. will be considered tardy to school and must obtain a tardy pass from the assistant principal’s office. If a student is tardy, they must show a copy of the tardy pass to the teacher upon being admitted to school. A tardy student’s failure to report to the office to check in and report to class immediately upon arrival will result in disciplinary action.

High School: Students are to report to homeroom by 7:20 a.m. each morning. Students not present at 7:20 a.m. will be considered tardy to school and must obtain a tardy pass at the visitor window prior to entering the building. If a student is tardy, he/she must show a copy of the tardy pass to the teacher upon being admitted to school. A tardy student’s failure to report to the visitor window to check in and report to class immediately upon arrival will result in disciplinary action.