Attendance information

Attendance FAQs

1. How many absences are permitted before a loss of credit? 

• 16 absences from a full year course        * 8 absences from a semester (½ yr.) course

2. What are my responsibilities when my child is absent?

• Parents must call the school's attendance line (ext. 7372) or email hs-attendance@wmtps.org before 8:30, providing a reason for the absence.

• Upon return, a note signed by the parent OR medical/legal documentation of the absence must be turned in to the HEALTH Office. Include the student’s name, date of & reason for the absence. Notes do not excuse an absence, but they keep days from counting toward truancy. Notes must be received within five (5) days of an absence. 

3. What days are excused?    According to NJ State policy, the following may be immediately excused with documentation:

• • Religious holidays recognized by the State

  • Take our Children to Work Day

  • 4 college visits for 11th & 12th graders ~ Students must secure documentation from the Admissions Office on the day of the campus visit and hand it in in GUIDANCE upon return. 

4. Should I bother with documentation for other absences?

• Yes! All documentation is logged, filed and considered for excusal at an appeal.

• During an appeal, the Attendance Committee may give consideration to a “reasonable number” of notes. They will evaluate:

  • 1. • 1. • doctor’s notes for an illness

            • documented college visits - from campus admissions offices

            • notification of death in the family

            • verified driver’s license test appointments

            • documented, required court appearances

Notes do not guarantee a restoration of credit, but are important to the decision making process.

Check-ups, dental and orthodontic appointments should be made outside of school hours.

5. Does my child actually need to visit the doctor? 

• Yes!  A doctor may not excuse an absence without having seen a child. “It was reported to me…” is not acceptable.  Notes should include a reason for the absence. 

6. Can a medical office send the note in?

• Yes!  The information, however, must come from the medical office where the visit was made. 

     Please provide the nurse's email address: pamela.tavarone-biesiada@wmtps.org.

7. Can I fax medical notes to school? 

• No, we will not accept notes faxed in by parents – there have been cases of alterations of these legal documents. Students should drop off original copies in the HEALTH OFFICE.

8. Are vacations an excused absence?

• No, family vacations cannot be NOT excused.                                                                          

9. Am I contacted prior to attendance becoming a serious issue?

• Yes!  Warning letters are posted on the Parent Portal under Correspondences – please click on this 

       tab often

10. What is a class “cut”?

• A student who is absent from class 10 or more minutes without authorization or permission while in attendance that day will be considered to be cutting a class. Cuts are counted as absences. Four cuts to a full year course causes loss of credit to that class.

11. Can I check up on my child’s attendance?

• • • • You can track your child’s daily & period attendance on the Parent Portal (menu to the left). 

      • Under period attendance, lates, absences, field trips etc., are all recorded by day and period. Clicking on Reason Totals above the chart will provide up-to-date numbers in each category for each class.

      • It is a good idea for students to look at their attendance weekly, because errors do occur. 

      • Students should see their teacher if an error has been made on their record; this can be fixed.

12. Can my child appeal a loss of credit due to absences?

• Yes!  Any student may file an appeal if he/she has lost credit in a class for absenteeism or for cuts. 

• When credit is lost, a letter and Appeal Request Form is sent home alerting you to this occurrence. 

• An appeal must be filed within 7 school days of the notification of loss of credit.

• Students are required to attend their appeal. Parents are invited to attend the appeal, but it is not a requirement of an appeal. Virtual meetings will be offered. 

• Please note that appeals are only granted in accordance with Board of Education Policy 5200.2 as provided in the student handbook. Individual circumstances are considered, while a focus on providing an appropriate education to our students is maintained.