If your child is going to be absent or late, please contact the Attendance Office before 8:30am.
When a student is absent from school, his/her parent/guardian shall notify the school by calling 856-848-6110, press 2, before 8:30 a.m. School Messenger will contact parents/guardians to report an absence. If contacted by School Messenger you must fill out the Student Absence Reporting form.
Attendance notes should be brought/sent to one of the following places:
Upon a students' return from an absence, students must submit a parent/guardian and/or a physician’s note explaining the reason for the absence. The note(s) should be presented to the Attendance Office within 3 school days from the time the student returns to school.
A pupil returning from an absence of any length must present to the Attendance office a written statement, dated and signed by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and/or from a physician, of the reasons for the absence.
Attendance at school may be excused for certain absences as defined by the Board. All absences for reasons other than excused, shall be unexcused.
“Attendance” is a pupil’s presence in school and in the classroom to which he/she is assigned at the times scheduled for instruction or other school activities.
- A pupil will be considered to have attended school if he/she has been present at least four instructional hours during the school day. This does not include lunch.
- A pupil not present in school because of his/her participation in an approved school activity, such as a field trip, meeting, cooperative education assignment, or athletic competition will be considered to be in attendance.
“Excused absence” is a pupil’s absence from school for a full day or a portion of a day for one or more of the following reasons.
- Death in the family
- Court – documentation required
- Religious holiday
- College visitation – verification from the college must be provided. Pupils may have a maximum of three days for the purpose of visiting colleges, other post-secondary training, or military institutions
- Field trips or school sponsored activities
- Take Your Child to Work Day, (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.8)
- Absences verified in writing by doctor/dentist
Homebound instruction days are not considered absences.
“Unexcused absence” is a pupil’s absence for all or part of a school day for any reason other than those listed under “Excused absence”. Vacations are not excused absences.
A pupil returning from an absence of any length must present to the Attendance Office a written statement, dated and signed by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and/or from a physician, of the reasons for the absence.
A note explaining a pupil’s absence for non-communicable illness for a period of three or more consecutive school days must be accompanied by a physician’s statement of the pupil’s illness.
A pupil who anticipates an excused absence due to a temporary or chronic health condition may be eligible for home instruction. The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must request home instruction through the guidance office.
Pupils absent for any reason are expected to make up the work missed. The pupil is responsible for requesting missed assignments and any assistance required. Teachers will provide make-up assignments as necessary. If you have any questions, kindly contact the teacher.
When a student has accumulated five unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian will be informed of the need for improved attendance and will be notified that there will be a parent conference for students who reach a total of six unexcused absences.
When a pupil has accumulated nine unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The Assistant Principal will hold a conference with the pupil, parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and school personnel who can make informed decisions about the pupil. School personnel may include guidance counselors, Child Study Team members, teachers, and other administrators. The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be informed of the serious nature of the attendance problem and the possible non-credit status for the course.
When a pupil has accumulated fifteen unexcused absences within a course, the pupil will be placed on a credit completion status. A letter will be sent to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and the Director of Guidance will hold a conference with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and the pupil. Any subsequent unexcused absence would result in the assignment of credit completion.
Pupils will be required to make up a day for each unexcused absence over seven days for a semester course through credit completion from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m./ Saturday 8:30 a.m. to noon. Any student who is on non-credit status will be given the opportunity to make up all required days and assignments throughout the semester. Failure to make up all the required days and assignments will result in loss of credit and possibly render the pupil ineligible to graduate.