Attendance
Why Attendance Matters?
If children don’t show up for school regularly, they miss out on fundamental reading and math skills and the chance to build a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers.
The more school time a student misses:
- The less likely they are to be proficient in math and reading by fourth grade, which is when students are no longer learning to read, but reading to learn
- The less likely they are to graduate high school on time
- The more likely they are to drop out of school
- The more challenging it becomes to catch up
Nonetheless, it’s never too late to work with your child’s school to help improve attendance.
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Preliminary data from a California study found that children who were chronically absent in Kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade.
Who Can Read on Grade Level After 3rd Grade?
Wright's Attendance Challenge
Are You Ready for This Year’s Attendance Challenge?
90% Monthly Attendance Challenge
Meet each monthly challenge to earn Wright swag, parent prizes, certificates, raffles and more!
Help Your Child Reach 90% Attendance
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD REACH 90% ATTENDANCE?
• Avoid extended vacations that require your children to miss school. Try to line up vacations with the school’s schedule. The same goes for doctor’s appointments.
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Make sure they get 9 to 11 hours of sleep. You can lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Get to know the teachers and school supports. Be sure to introduce yourself to your child’s teachers before school starts and keep in touch. School officials can help you stay on top of academic progress and social contacts to make sure your child is staying on track.
School Admissions: 7:30am
Breakfast: 7:30am – 8:00am
School Dismissal: 2:00pm
Half-day Dismissal: 11:00pm
Our school doors open at 7:30am daily. There is no supervision on school grounds prior to 7:30am, therefore parents and caregivers should supervise students until doors open or arrive to school at 7:30am.
School Hours:
School gates open everyday at 7:15am with school starting officially at 7:30am. The school day ends at 2:00pm. Please note that we do not have before school care. Therefore, we are unable to supervise students on the school grounds before 7:30am. Also, the main office will be open to parents at 8:00am with the exception of pre-scheduled meetings. We cannot service parents before 8:00am without a scheduled meeting as we are welcoming our students.
Arrival
7:30 – 8:00 AM
Admitted through the Gymnasium doors
Arrival
Our doors to the school open at 7:30am, students in all grades will be admitted through the Gymnasium doors.
- Grades K-5 will report to the gym to meet with their teachers and transition to their classroom where they will receive breakfast.
- Bus Riders will enter the building through the Dauphin Street entrance.
Wright Staff will be present and visible to escort or direct students to their assigned admission location.
Breakfast
7:30-8:00 AM
Breakfast is provided to every student.
Breakfast
Breakfast is provided to every student from:
- 7:30-8:00am
Breakfast service will stop at 8:00am.
Latness
A student that comes to school after the start of the school day, but less than two (2) hours after school starts will be considered late.
Lateness
Lateness:
A student that comes to school after the start of the school day, but less than two (2) hours after school starts will be considered late.
Any student late to school must report to the office for the secretary to mark them late. After 2 hours, a student will be marked as a half day.
Dissmisals
Dismissals: 2:00 PM, in the gym
Early Dismissals stop at:
- 10:30am (½ day)
- 1:30pm (full day)
Dismissals
Dismissal:
- All students riding the bus are dismissed via Dauphin Street entrance.
- Students attending an afterschool program will be escorted to their assigned location in the cafeteria. Please communicate our dismissal procedures to your child’s After School Programs.
- Grades K -5 will be called to dismiss through the gymnasium. Please meet your child’s teacher in the gym at the classroom designation.
Early Dismissals
Early Dismissals stop at:
- 10:30am (½ day)
- 1:30pm (full day)
So that we can prepare for school wide dismissal. Please bring current photo identification for any student being dismissed early.
Students are ONLY released via early dismissal to an adult previously listed on their contact information. It is required and there will be no exceptions.
Attendance Policy
Excused Absence Procedure
The District’s attendance policy requires written excuse notes explaining the absence.
- Excuse notes must be given to the school within three (3) days upon the student’s return to school. If the note is not submitted to the school within the required time frame, the day(s) may not be excused.
*Excused absences count against students’ attendance percentage. However, it does not place parents in jeopardy of violating truancy laws.
Excuse notes must include the following:
- Student’s name
- Date(s) of absence(s)
- A valid telephone number or other means of contact for verification purposes
Unexcused/Unlawful Absences
An absence is considered “unexcused” or “unlawful” when either:
- A written note was not submitted to the school upon the student’s return from the absence (in accordance to written note protocol).
OR
- The reason provided in the written note by the parent/guardian was deemed invalid by the school, and did not meet the conditions or situations outlined in the District’s 204 Attendance Policy.
Examples of invalid excuses include (but not limited to):
- Babysitting
- Waking up late
- Illness of a family member
- Family vacation
Note: An out-of-school suspension may not be considered an unexcused absence.
Unexcused Absences Add Up:
- 3 unexcused absences- Notice of Truancy (3-Day Legal Notice).
- 6 unexcused absences – Conference/School Attendance Improvement Plan.
- 10 unexcused absences- referral to office of Attendance and Truancy
Student Attendance Records
How can I see my student’s attendance records?
You can view your child’s attendance information in the Parent & Family Portal.
If you do not have a Parent and Family Portal account use the directions found here to sign up.
Once you have created your Parent and Family Portal account or if you already have an account, use the appropriate stepper linked below to access your child’s attendance information:
Translated versions of all steppers are available here.
Submit Online Notes
Online Absence Excuse Note Form
This form is available for parents/guardians to use as online absence notes to submit to Wright.
Please complete this form each time your child is absent. The information will be submitted in your child’s record to ensure absence is coded properly.
Learn More About Our Attendance Policy
Wright Attendance Liaison
Ms. Dynita Daniels (AKA Ms. D)
ddaniels2@philasd.org
Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities
P: (215) 400 – 4830
Last modified: April 18, 2025
