BLOOMFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULATION NO. 5200
FOR PUPIL ATTENDANCE
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, every parent, guardian, or other person having control and custody of a child between the ages of six and sixteen shall cause the child to regularly attend school. The Board of Education requires students enrolled in the school district attend school regularly in accordance with the laws of the State.
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6, a student’s absence from school may be excused, unexcused that counts toward truancy, or unexcused that does not count toward truancy.
Students that are absent from school for any reason are responsible for the completion of assignments missed because of their absence. A student who is absent from school for observing a religious holiday shall not be deprived of any award, eligibility, or opportunity to compete for any award, or deprived of the right to take an alternate test or examination that was missed because of the absence provided there is a written excuse of such absence signed by the parent.
Prolonged or repeated absences, excused or unexcused, from school or from class, deprive students of the educational and classroom experiences deemed essential to learning and may result in retention at grade level or loss of credit or removal from a course that would count toward the high school diploma in accordance with policies of this Board.
Students shall be subjected to the school district’s response for unexcused absences that account toward truancy during the school year as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6(a)4 and Regulation 5200.
Unexcused absences from school or from classes within the school day may subject a student to consequences that may include the denial of a student’s participation in co-curricular activities and/or athletic competition. Repeated absences from school interfere with efforts of this Board and its staff in the maintenance of good order and the continuity of classroom instruction and such absences may result in the removal of the student from a class or course of study.
A. Definitions
For the purposes of school attendance, a “day in session” shall be a day on which the school is open and students are under the guidance and direction of a teacher or teachers engaged in the teaching process. Days on which school is closed for such reasons as holidays, teachers’ institutes, and inclement weather shall not be considered as days in session.
A “school day” shall consist of not less than four hours.
“A day of attendance” shall be one in which the student is present for a full day under the guidance and direction of a teacher while school is in session.
B. Excused/Unexcused Absences
“Excused absence” is a student’s absence from school for a full day or a portion of a day for the observance of a religious holiday pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-14 through 16, for Take Your Child to Work Day, College Visits (up to 3 per year for Juniors and Seniors ONLY) or any other absence determined to be excused by the New Jersey Department of Education.
“Unexcused absence that counts toward truancy” is a student’s absence from school for a full or a portion of a day for any reason that is not excused as defined above or for any unexcused absence that does not count toward truancy listed below. For up to four (4) cumulative unexcused absences, the school shall
a)make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents prior to the start of the following day;
b) investigate the cause of the unexplained absence;
c) develop an action plan designed to address patterns of unexplained absences and to return
the child to regular attendance at school;
d) contact DCPP if abuse of neglect is suspected;
e) cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies, as appropriate.
“Unexcused absence that does not count toward truancy” is a student’s absence from school for a full day or a portion of a day for the reasons listed below:
The student’s illness supported by a written letter from the parent upon student’s return to school;
The student’s required attendance in court;
Where appropriate, when consistent with Individualized Education Programs, the Individuals with Disabilities Act, accommodation plans under 29 U.S.C. §§ 794 and 705(20), and individualized health care plans;
The student’s suspension from school;
Family illness or death supported by a written letter from the parent upon the student’s return to school;
Visits to post-secondary educational institutions;
Interviews with a prospective employer or with an admissions officer of an institution of higher education;
Examination for a driver’s license;
Necessary and unavoidable medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled at a time other than the school day;
An absence for a reason not listed above, but deemed unexcused that does not count toward truancy by the Principal upon a 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;
C. Notice to School of a Student’s Absence
The parent or adult student is requested to call the school office before the start of the student’s school day.
The parent of the student or an adult student who will attend the morning session, but will not attend the afternoon session should call or provide notice to the school office before the start of the afternoon session.
The parent or adult student who anticipates a future absence or anticipates that an absence will be prolonged should notify the school office to arrange make-up work.
D. Readmission to School After an Absence
A student returning from an absence of any length of time must provide a written statement that is dated and signed by the parent or adult student listing the reason for the absence. This must be received within 5 days of the students’ return to school.
A note explaining a student’s absence for a noncommunicable illness for a period of more than five (5) school days must be accompanied by a physician’s statement of the student’s illness with medical clearance to return to school.
A student who has been absent by reason of having or being suspected of having a communicable disease must present to the school nurse written evidence of being free of communicable disease, in accordance with Policy 8451
E. Loss of Course Credit
A secondary student may be denied the yearly course credit when he/she has been absent from nineteen (19) days or more school days, whatever the reason for the absence, except that excused absences or absences caused by a student’s suspension will not count toward the total.
If a student exceeds the minimum number of absences, the student is placed in withdrawal of credit status.
An appeals process can take place, where a review of the reasons for students’ absences will be carried out. At that time, the student may not be penalized for excused absences if supporting documentation is provided by the student.
The student is still responsible for attending all scheduled classes.
F. Denial of Course Credit
The teacher will determine the credit to be awarded a student for make-up work. Where class participation is a factor in the learning process, the teacher may consider a student’s absence in determining a final grade, except excused absences or absence for a suspension from school will not adversely affect the student’s grade. The teacher may record an incomplete grade for a student who has not had a full opportunity to make up missed work.
A secondary student may be denied course credit when he/she has been absent from 19 days or more of the class sessions, whatever the reason for the absence, except that excused absences or absences caused by a student’s suspension will not count toward the total.
Exceptions to this rule may be made for students who have demonstrated to the teacher through completion of make-up assignments that they have mastered the proficiencies established for the course of study.
A secondary student denied course credit after completing the course will be permitted to attend summer school or a credit recovery course if the grade attained for the original course was at least a 50.
G. Discipline
Students may be denied participation in co-curricular activities if the Board establishes attendance standards for participation.
Students may be denied participation in athletic competition if the Board establishes attendance standards for participation.
No student who is absent from school for observance of a religious holiday may be deprived of any award or of eligibility for or opportunity to compete for any award because of the absence.
H. Cutting Class
A student who is physically present on school grounds at any time of the day, regardless of whether or not they have signed into school and has an unauthorized absence from class shall be deemed as a cut.
Students who cut a course three (3) times may result in loss of credit for the subject. If a student loses credit, an appeal may take place in order to regain credit for the year.
Behavioral consequences will also be assigned for cuts, such as Post School Detention. Failure to show up to Post School Detention will result with a more severe consequence: in school suspension.
*All students who cut class may jeopardize their privilege to school events, such as school dances, prom, and Battle of the Classes. Seniors who cut classes may jeopardize their privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony.
I. Hall Passes
Students must obtain a pink Hall Pass from their teacher to be in the halls while classes are in session.
Students must carry their pink Hall Pass with them at all times and present it to staff when requested.
Misuse of any pink Hall Passes will be considered Failure to Follow Proper Procedure and/or insubordination.