Extended Absence FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Extended Vacations from School
1. Are excusals from school for an extended vacation permitted?
As per Easton Area School District Board Policy 204, a student may miss no more than five (5) days total for family/voluntary trips, other than those in which the student is representing the District. Any additional days missed are considered “unexcused” absences.
2. What process do I follow when requesting a family vacation?
Parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit a vacation request form in order to request approval through the building administration. Please see your child’s handbook for additional information regarding the procedure within the specific school building.
3. Is a student permitted to make up homework, class work, and/or tests missed during an excused absence due to a family trip?
Yes. Students are always permitted to make up work missed during an excused absence. Students, do not, however, have unlimited time to make up such work. Prior to a foreseeable absence, such as that during an approved trip, students and/or parents should communicate with the student’s teacher(s) to ascertain what work will be missed, when the student may receive it, and the timeframe in which it must be made up in order to receive credit.
4. Is a student permitted to make up homework, class work, and/or tests missed during an unexcused absence during a family trip?
No. Students are not permitted to make up work missed during an unexcused absence. Parents and students must be aware that, because of this, extended absences may cause a student to fail the marking period and, potentially, be retained for the school year.
5. What happens if I take my child on a trip that lasts more than five (5) days?
All such absences are considered unexcused absences and will trigger the District’s truancy procedures. The student and parent(s)/guardian(s) may be referred to the local magistrate, who has the authority to impose fines and other sanctions for failure to adhere to Pennsylvania’s mandatory attendance laws. In addition, the District may ultimately be legally required to remove the student from its rolls.
6. Would an extended absence due to a family trip be considered “excused” if I secure private tutoring for my child during the absence?
No. Extended absences from school, such as absences for extended trips or vacations, are not permitted for any student, regardless of whether the child is receiving instruction during the absence. The Pennsylvania School Code does not permit tutoring as a permissible form of instruction in lieu of enrollment within the District. Students are required to adhere to the specific requirements under the law.
7. What will the district’s action be for days that are considered “unexcused” while on a family trip?
If a student misses school beyond five (5) days for a family trip, all subsequent days will be considered unexcused. Due to the fact that all students under the age of seventeen (17) are of compulsory school age, truancy penalties will apply. Additionally, students will not be eligible to make up homework, classwork, and/or tests missed during the unexcused absence period.