The Board of Education requires the pupils enrolled in the schools of this district attend school regularly in accordance with the laws of the State. The educational program offered by this district is predicated on the presence of the pupil and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation. The regular contact of pupils with one another in the classroom and their participation in a well-planned instructional activity under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose.

Attendance at school may be excused for certain absences as defined by the Board. All absences for reasons other than excused, shall be unexcused.

Pupils absent from school for any reason are responsible for the completion of assignments missed because of their absence. No pupil excused for a religious holiday shall be deprived of an award or eligibility to compete for an award or the opportunity to make up a test given on the religious holiday.

Prolonged or repeated absences, excused or unexcused, from school or from class, deprive the pupil of the classroom experience deemed essential to learning and may result in retention at grade level or loss of credit toward the high school diploma in accordance with policies of this Board.

Pupils shall be subjected to the school district response for unexcused absences during the school year as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.8(a)4 and Regulation 5200. In addition, unexcused absences from school or from classes within the school day shall subject a pupil to the disciplinary rules of the Board, which may include the denial of a pupil’s participation in co-curricular activities and/or athletic competition. Repeated truancies that interfere with efforts of this Board and its staff in the maintenance of good order and the continuity of classroom instruction may result in the suspension or expulsion of any pupil from the course of study during which absences have occurred or the suspension or expulsion in accordance with Policy Nos. 5610 and 5620.

The Superintendent shall calculate and monitor the average daily attendance rate for the district and for each school in the district. Whenever the average daily attendance rate for the district or for a school in the district does not meet the New Jersey Department of Education requirements, the Superintendent or designee shall develop performance objectives to improve pupil attendance pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:32-12.2(a)3.

What is an Excused Absence?

• Illness verified by a doctor’s note presented within five school days upon return to school.
• Diagnosed chronic conditions verified by medical doctor’s note, provided a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) note is presented within five days after the pupil’s return to school. The school nurse will monitor these absences.
• Up to five days for death in the immediate family (i.e. parents/guardians, sibling, or any other family member living at the pupil’s residence).
• One day in the case of death of close relatives (i.e. grandparents, aunts, uncles).
• Religious holidays according to New Jersey State Statutes and Administrative Code, upon presentation of a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian on return to school.
• Up to three days per year for college visitation or college orientation program, job interview, or Armed Forces interview. Prior approval must be granted through the administration. The absences will be excused upon receipt of documentation from the attended college visitation, orientation, or interview.
• Emergencies or other unusual circumstances, upon review and approval of the administration.
• The student’s required attendance in court.
• An absence for a reason not listed above, but deemed unexcused that does not count towards truancy by the Principal upon written request by the student’s parent stating the reason for the absence and requesting permission for the absence to be an unexcused absence that does not count toward truancy.
• Exceptions to this rule may be made for students who have demonstrated to the Principal or designee through completions of make-up assignments that they have mastered proficiencies established for the course of study.

Pupil Lateness to School

The orderly conduct of class activity is predicated upon the prompt and precise beginning of the program. Lateness and early release hinders the proper conduct of such activity, imposes a distraction which leads to a loss of instructional time for pupils properly in attendance, and denotes school time lost by the late pupil.

To be considered present for a full day, a pupil must attend school for a minimum of four hours.

A pupil entering school after the start of 1st bell will be considered late.

Pupils who leave the school early or arrive late, must sign in or out with the appropriate attendance officer in accordance with the following acceptable reasons. Notes for early excuse or lateness must be submitted to the attendance officer in advance.

Excessive Absences

When a pupil’s absences have exceeded the maximum level of twelve days full time or six days shared time all participation will be restricted from the following activities/events: interscholastic athletics, intramurals, club programs,  dramatics, publications, student council, or other as determined by the Board. Pupils will receive written documentation from the attendance officer when such action will take place.