Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE POLICY #5131

The Board of Education believes that regular attendance in class, participation in class activities, and interaction between pupils and teachers are vital and integral parts of the learning process. Frequent absences of pupils from regular classroom learning experiences disrupt the continuity of the instructional and learning processes. The school staff cannot teach pupils who are not present.

School will be open a minimum of 180 days each year and the maximum number of absences permitted within an academic year is 20. All absences will be counted. It is the intention of this policy that the permitted number of absences will provide for normal illness. Pupils are expected to attend school during the established school time.

Any pupil, who, for any reason, fails to attend 160 days of school within any academic year, shall be subject to an administrative review by the Superintendent/designee before the student can be considered for course credit or promotion. The following individuals may assist the Superintendent/designee in this administrative review: other administrators, teachers, parent/guardians, students themselves and other school personnel such as guidance counselors, child study team members, etc.

For the purposes of this policy and pursuant to NJAC 6A:32-8.3, the definition of a school day is that a school day shall be such that a school day shall consist of not less than four hours of actual instruction, except that in an approved kindergarten a full school day may consist of one continuous session of 2½ hours.

For the purposes of this policy an absence shall be defined as absence of a student from school, a class or classroom or his/her assigned program for a school day without proper notification by the student’s parent/guardian or for reasons other than those listed in this policy below.

The following absences are excusable:

1. Personal illness or injury

2. Family illness (serious illness of a family member, residing in the household of the student or the quarantine of the family member, family or student in accordance with the directives of health officials);

3. Death in the family (death of a family member of the student, including but not limited to parent/guardian, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.);

4. Absence due to court intervention;

5. Religious holidays as prescribed by NJSA 18A:36-16;

6. Quarantine;

7. School sponsored activities;

8. Medical or dental appointments

9. Unique special circumstances that may develop on a case-by-case basis.

According to New Jersey law, attendance in school is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16; and, according to universally accepted norms, pupils cannot benefit fully from the educational programs of schools unless attendance is regular and uninterrupted. Therefore, the Board of Education directs that attendance of pupils be controlled and supervised.

If a pupil is absent, the parent/guardian is required to call the main office the morning of the absence. Pupils shall be required to complete all work and exercises assigned during any absences. Arrangements to make up the work must be initiated by the pupil or parent/guardian.

Students absent for five (5) or more days are required to bring and submit a doctor’s note in order to return to school.

Students with Disabilities

For students with disabilities, attendance plans and punitive and remedial measures shall be established in accordance with the students’:

A. Individualized Education Programs, pursuant to 20 USC § 1400 et. seq., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act;

B. Procedural safeguards as set forth in NJAC 6A:14;

C. Accommodation plans under 29 USC § 794 and 705(20);

D. Individualized health care plans, pursuant to NJAC 6A:16-2.3(b)2ix.

Cases of Up to Four Absences

The Superintendent of Schools shall assign a district employee to attempt to notify parents/guardians of any absences of their children prior to the beginning of the school day following said absence.

District personnel shall be assigned the task of conducting an investigation to determine the cause(s) of each absence. This investigation shall include contacting the parents/guardians of the student.

Cases of Five to Nine Cumulative Absences

Appropriate district personnel shall develop an action plan to address patterns of habitual absences of students in order to have said students maintain regular attendance. This action plan shall be developed in consultation with the student’s parents/guardians. In addition, the assigned staff member(s) shall evaluate the appropriateness of the action plan pursuant to NJAC 6A:16-7.8(a)41(3) and revise the action plan, as needed to identify patterns of absences and establish outcomes based on the student’s needs and specify the interventions for achieving the outcomes supporting the student’s return to school and regular attendance that may include any or all of the following:

A. Refer or consult with the Intervention and Referral Services team, pursuant to NJAC 6A:16-8;

B. Conduct testing, assessments or evaluations of the student’s academic, behavioral and health needs;

C. Consider an alternate educational placement;

D. Make a referral to a community-based social and health provider agency or other community resource;

E. Refer to the court program designated by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts;

F. Proceed in accordance with the provisions of NJSA 9:6-1 et seq. and NJAC 6A:16-11, if a potentially messing or abused child situation is detected; and/or,

G. Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities as appropriate.

Cases of Ten or More Cumulative Absences

In cases of 10 or more cumulative absences, the student between the ages of 6 and 16 shall be considered to be truant pursuant to NJSA 18A:38-37. In such cases, the following actions shall be instituted:

A. A mandatory referral to the court program designated and required by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts;

B. A reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents/guardians of said mandatory referral;

C. Continuation of consultations with the parents/guardians and the involved agencies to support the student’s return to school and regular attendance;

D. Cooperation with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate;

E. Proceed in accordance with the provisions of NJSA 18A:38-28 through 31, Article 3B, Compelling Attendance at School and other applicable state and federal statutes, as required.

The Superintendent/designee in consultation with the teacher shall determine the effect of excessive absences, upon a grade or promotion. The Superintendent/designee shall direct development of procedures to disseminate and implement this policy.

If a student misses 20 cumulative days, parent or guardian must meet with the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee to discuss the student’s promotion/retention.

Lateness

The Board expects students to arrive at school and in classrooms on time. Students who arrive late to school or in their assigned classroom(s) shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the district’s Code of Student Conduct.

Late Arrival and Early Dismissal

Late arrivals and early dismissals are as disruptive to the educational process as absenteeism. Only the reasons for absence listed as excusable above shall be held valid for a late arrival or early dismissal. The parent/guardian shall inform the school in advance whenever possible. A student to be dismissed early must be met in the school office by the parent/guardian or authorized agent. Pupils will not be dismissed to any individual under the age of 18 (minor) for any reason.

Class Cutting and Truancy (Unauthorized Absence)

Penalties for students who cut classes shall include detention and in-school suspension. Parents/guardians who fail to comply with the compulsory attendance laws are subject to the penalties prescribed by law.

(Full policy can be found on the district website under the BOE tab)

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