Policies

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that a school with certain exceptions obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, a school may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the school to the contrary in accordance with school district procedures.

Parents who wish to opt their students out of directory information releases must complete an Opt-Out Form for each of their students, and must return each form to the school at which each student is enrolled by December 13, 2024.

Find more information, including the forms you need HERE.

The school day for Samuel Fels High School starts at 7:30 AM and ends at 2:34 PM. Student attendance and punctuality is critical for academic success.

School Process:
Parents must submit an absence note to the school within three (3) days upon the child’s return to school from an absence. The school Principal/Designee will make a determination if the note will be accepted. If the note has been accepted, it should be submitted to the main office, and the absence must be changed in the SIS (Student Information System) to an excused absence using the appropriate code. Parents can also email the absence note from a medical provider, court, etc to felsattendance@philasd.org.

1. At the 3rd unexcused absence, the Third Day Illegal Notice (C-31) should be sent to the parent/guardian notifying that the child has missed three (3) unexcused days (consecutive/non-consecutive) of school.
2. A SAIP Conference should be held by the 6th unexcused absence to address the student’s absences and reasons for the truancy. The purpose of the conference is to identify barriers to attendance and develop meaningful strategies to address the identified issues and support the student. The Student Attendance Improvement Plan should be completed at the conference. The school must invite the parent/guardian to the conference. A copy of the SAIP will be provided to the student, parent/guardian and any other entity identified who can support the student with this plan.
3. At the 10th unexcused absence, the truancy referral should be submitted to the Office of Attendance & Truancy. All referrals will be checked for quality and accuracy. The Student Attendance Improvement Plan will serve as the truancy referral and will be required for ALL cases going to Truancy Court or DHS for services.