The policy of month (January) -Attendance! 

Key Takeaway - Students are expected to be in school in order to be successful in the learning process! 

Research clearly shows that students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels, not only academically, but socially and physically as well.   Children will learn and become productive young adults when they feel valued, safe and happy in engaging programs.  However, in order for students to be successful, students need to be present and on time to school.  Frequent absences, arriving late to class and excessive time out of the classroom means less instruction and missed opportunities for intervention, reinforcement and enrichment.  

Hopatcong High School is responsible for reporting chronic absenteeism (missing 10 percent or more of the school year) and truancy (10 or more cumulative unexcused absences) as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6 (For more detailed information concerning the legality of absences, please see Board Policy and Regulation 5200).  If a child becomes chronically absent or truant, the Hopatcong School District will conduct a home visit by the school safety officer, and an official designee of the district.  The purpose of the visit is to emphasize the importance of attendance, and to provide families with guidance on how to communicate this message to the student.

Attendance is taken each day, not only at the beginning of school, but at the beginning of every class.  Please keep the following in point mind:

1. In the event your child will be absent from school, please call or email Mrs. Lynn Masterson in the attendance office (973-770-8854, lmasterson@hopatcongschools.org).  To ensure that your child is safe and accounted for, and that your child’s absence is recorded properly, please state the reason and projected length for the absence.   

2. When your child returns to school, please provide documentation if applicable, which will be kept in a file in the event there is a credit recovery appeal.   Absences that are not cleared by the next day will be recorded as an unauthorized absence from school. 

3. Students attending or participating in athletics and extracurricular activities must be present in school in order to participate in a school sponsored function that same day.  An absence on a Friday would result in a student being ineligible for the subsequent weekend sponsored events.  Please note - students on a Quarantine List are not present in school, and therefore ineligible to participate in extracurricular and school functions.  

4. According to N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3, the New Jersey Department of Education defines a school day in session as “a day in which the school is open and students are under the guidance and direction of a teacher(s); and the day must be four (4) hours or more to be considered a full day”.  This is of special note to the students participating in athletics and extracurricular activities.

5. Additionally, applicable students must be in attendance at school before 9:55 a.m. or until 11:30 a.m. in order for their school day to count as per the four (4) hour definition.  Students not adhering to this school code will not be allowed to participate in the activity including (this includes ALL clubs, activities, athletics, stage/band productions, etc.) unless excused by the high school administration. 

6. Students 18 years of age and older are NOT allowed to sign themselves in or out of school or supply their own notes to be excused on their own.  Parent permission / notification IS STILL REQUIRED! 

While missing a couple of days a month may not seem like a lot, it can add up to a child becoming chronically absent or truant.  In the event that your child was reported absent 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 times for any reason, Powerschool will automatically send parents and students an email notifying you about the absences.  If you feel that absences have been recorded in error, please email me at kzimmermann@hopatcongschools.org   Please be advised that if a student records a 16th absence (excused or unexcused) in a full year class, or 8th absence in a semester class, they are at risk of losing course credit which may involve repeating that class which may impede advancement or graduation.   Also, students may become ineligible for participation in extracurricular clubs, activities, athletics and any privilege the Building Principal or designee determines may be appropriate and consistent with Policy and Regulation 5600 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1.

As always, our team of professionals - teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, child study team members and nurses - are available to provide assistance with medical, health and academic challenges that may be hindering attendance.  We encourage you to reach out to the appropriate personnel at any time for assistance.  Together, we are united in building honorable, academically successful, and creative leaders of tomorrow in engaging, nurturing environments.