Attendance
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The school day begins officially at 8:10 a.m. with first block class. Students are expected to arrive at school each day in time to enter the building, go to their lockers and get to class at or before 8:10 AM. Students are not to arrive before 7:50 AM.
New Jersey law requires that students attend school each day. Exceptions will be made for religious holidays with written excuse provided in advance. Parents of students who are absent should notify the school of the absence. In addition, students who are absent must bring a written excuse from home and give it to the nurse upon their return from any absence. Illegal absences will be considered truancy and will require disciplinary action.
Students who miss school have the responsibility of making up work covered during their absence. It is the student's responsibility to arrange with their teacher(s) to make up the work within a time period equivalent to double the duration of the absence. Failure to do so forfeits the right of make up.
Students must be in school for a minimum of one (1) hour of classroom instruction before the lunch/learning lab block AND one (1) of classroom instruction after the lunch/learning lab block in order to NOT be considered absent. Students must arrive at school no later than 9:55 a.m. and remain in school until at least 1:05 p.m. to avoid being charged with a full day’s absence. Students who are not present for the minimum two (2) hours of instruction will not be permitted to participate in athletic or any extra curricular activities.
REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCE
Parent is to notify the Nurse's Office prior to 9:00 AM by calling 732-264-0940 Extension #2006.
Within two (2) days of his/her return, the student must present a written note signed by his/her parent or guardian to the nurse. The note must include the student's name, date(s) of absence and the reason(s) for the absence(s).
Student should make immediate plans to do all classwork they missed during their absence.
EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
Excused absences will only be considered for the following reasons:
Religious observance when a note requesting an excuse is presented at least one week prior to the day(s) of absence.
School sponsored activities and school enforced absences.
Parents will receive a warning letter after the 5th, 10th and 15th absence. Students at the middle school will be considered for summer school and face possible retention after 16 absences.
A vacation taken during the school year is considered an unexcused absence.