Absences & Tardiness

Research consistently shows that regular school attendance is a key factor in academic achievement. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed academically and later in life. Additionally, a strong school attendance record helps students build a sense of responsibility, time management, and discipline, along with contributing to the growth of their overall mental well-being.

If your child is absent, you must notify the school @ 201-796-6550 by 8:45 am. and press “1” at the message prompt.  Please leave your child’s name, grade, teacher, and reason for absence.  For the safety of our children, we will follow up on all unconfirmed absences by a telephone call from our office.  Parents will also receive an automated alert of their child’s absence.  

We strongly urge parents to schedule all appointments and vacations for days when school is not in session.  When parents/guardians know in advance of a unique or special family circumstance that will require an absence from school, they must notify the classroom teacher, Mrs. Kalata (medical), or Mrs. Chalarca in the main office by email.

If you must pick up your child before dismissal, email your child’s teacher, Mrs. Wunder, and Mrs. Chalarca.  You must sign your child out at the main office and your child will be called down.  Please allow yourself enough time for your child to pack up their belongings and travel to the main office.  Students will NOT be sent down to wait for an early pick-up at the main office.  

If you wish to pick up missed assignments and/or homework, email your child’s teacher before 8:45 a.m.   The work will be available in the main office/vestibule after dismissal, where it may be picked up until 3:30 p.m.

Note that any student absent during the school day may NOT attend nor participate in any school-related evening activities or performances.

Our district is mandated to follow New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 6A:32-8.6 along with our Policy & Regulation 5200. 

• Parents must notify the school of a student’s absence with the reason for the absence. 

• Any elementary student who is absent 10% or more school days, may be retained at grade level. 

• Exceptions may be made due to severe prolonged illnesses or diseases.

• Our staff must follow up with parents when a student has up to four cumulative absences to identify needed action designed to address any patterns of absences. 

• When between five and nine absences, our staff will connect with parents to determine the cause of the absences and are required to develop an action plan to specify the interventions for supporting the student’s return to school and regular attendance. Parents will be invited to participate in Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) meetings to develop this action plan. 

• Once a child has accrued ten absences, it is the responsibility of our staff to connect with the County Truancy Office to make a court referral. 

Please refer to Link:  Policy 5200-Attendance

Student Tardiness:  

All entry doors will be closed at 8:45 a.m.  Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. are to enter through the front door. All late students must report to the Main Office with their parent/guardian.  Parents/Guardians must sign late students in at the front office.  A letter will be sent home if your child has reached 5 unexcused tardies.  5 tardies will result in disciplinary consequences.  5 tardies will be converted into 1 absence. Please refer to the link for Policy and Regulation 5240: Tardiness 

Student Absences (Extended):

Pursuant to the Saddle Brook Board of Education procedures, the following will apply when a student is absent from school for an extended family vacation during the school year, whereby a student misses an extended period of school over a consecutive calendar period:

• A student who is out of school for ten consecutive days shall be marked absent each day.

• As of day eleven, the absence will be changed to a withdrawal from school dated back to the first date of the absence.  

• If a family returns, the student will be re-admitted however a registration must be commenced and completed within a 30 day period.  Note:  The ten consecutive days of missed education shall not include school holidays.

Students who exhibit a pattern of excessive absences and/or tardies will be contacted by the principal.  Letters will be sent home in accordance with the Saddle Brook Board of Education Policy #5200.