Attendance FAQ's

You can contact the attendance secretary at shms-attendance@wssd.org or at (610)-892-3470 x3107.

Although the scheduling of family trips during the instructional year is not encouraged, we recognize that students may benefit educationally by accompanying their parents/guardians on trips.

The Principal, as empowered by the School Board, may excuse a student from school attendance to participate in an educational tour or trip for entertainment purposes not sponsored by the District if the following conditions are met:

1. The student must be in good academic, disciplinary, and attendance standing.

2. The parent/guardian must submit the Trip Preapproval Request Form at least one (1) week prior to the absence.

3. The student’s participation must be approved by the Principal one week in advance of the scheduled trip.

The Trip Pre-Approval Request form may be found on the Attendance Page on the SHMS website.

Attendance changes should be reported by 8:00 am. 

1. PowerSchool (Preferred option)* – Please submit notes through the “Forms” section of the navigation bar, via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. 

2. Email Option – Please include a picture of a handwritten note with a signature as an attachment to an email and send to the school attendance email line at shms-attendance@wssd.org.

3. Phone Call Option** - Please call our Attendance Line at (610)-892-3466 and leave a clear and detailed message with your child's name, grade, and reason for attendance change. 

PLEASE DO NOT send excuse notes to individual teachers, administrators, or secretaries. Please be sure to use the procedures as noted above.

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*Please see 'Submitting Attendance Notes through Powerschool' on the SHMS Attendance Website for further guidance.

**This option does not excuse a child's absence and should be accompanied by a note within 3 calendar days.

For absences of 3 days or longer, a physician’s note is required in accordance with the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District Board policy.

Absences that are not excused within 3 calendar days will remain AUL (Unlawful Absence)