STUDENT ATTENDANCE
The Bound Brook School District requires that its students attend school regularly in accordance with the laws of the state. A high value is placed on student attendance because regular school attendance is a primary factor in a student's academic and social development. Frequent absences of students from the regular classroom learning experiences disrupt the continuity of the instructional process.
N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 requires children between the ages of six and sixteen to attend school regularly. Bound Brook School policy provides for the loss of course credit following three class cuts and/or eighteen absences for a year long course (two class cuts and/or nine absences are the limits for semester courses).
A) Students shall attend school daily.
B) Parents should ensure that their child attends school on time.
C) Parents must notify the school the morning of an absence by telephone.
D) Parents of High School students should call 732-652-7950, and then Select Option 2 or Dial Extension 3519, to leave a message, which includes the following:
1. Their child’s name
2. Grade level
3. Reason for absence
4. Phone number to reach the parent during the school day
If such notice is not received, the school should make every attempt to contact the parents on the day of the absence.
E) When the student returns to school, he/she must be accompanied by the parent or should bring a signed note from the parent explaining the reason for the absence. This note is to be presented to the elementary classroom teacher or high school attendance office immediately upon the student's return to school.
F) A student must present a doctor's excuse upon return to school from an absence of three successive days or more.
G) The principal/designee may also require additional verification from the parent/student, such as physician's notes or court subpoenas, to substantiate the reason for an absence.
H) Students absent from school for any reason are responsible for the completion of assignments missed because of their absence. The student will have two school days to make up the assignment and/or test for every one day of absence otherwise resulting in “no credit” or “zero.”
I) Unexcused absences from school or from classes within the school day (class cuts) constitute truancies and shall be subject to the disciplinary rules. Each absence for a class period counts as a class absence, a double period will count as two class absences.
J) Students who are absent from school may not attend after school activities or evening school sponsored activities. Students who are absent from school may not compete in any interscholastic sporting event, practice or extracurricular activity that day. A student must be present at least four hours on the day of a school activity in order to return for a school-sponsored activity or game unless they receive prior approval from the administration excusing the absence.
In accordance with statute 18A 38-27-31 the Board will require from the parent or legal guardian of each student who has been absent from school a written statement giving the reason for such absence. This note must be submitted to the student’s Attendance Office the day he/she returns from the absence. Such a note must contain a verification telephone number where a parent can be reached by the school between the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Notes received without such a telephone number will not be accepted.
Absences for a disabling illness, recovery from accident, court order, quarantine, death in the family, and religious observances approved by the Commissioner of Education are exempt provided that appropriate documentation is received and approved. No student excused for a religious holiday shall be deprived of an award or eligibility to compete for an award or the opportunity to make up a test given on the religious holiday.
A warning notice shall be given to any student, and to the parents(s) or legal guardians(s) of any minor student, who has been absent more than five days in any one marking period, excluding any absence attributable to disciplinary suspension.
CLASS / SCHOOL TRUANCY
Truancy is defined as intentionally missing or “cutting” school or a scheduled class. Students are required to attend school everyday during the academic school year. Leaving school grounds without permission is unacceptable and violators will be addressed accordingly. Students are also required to report to their scheduled classes on time and are not permitted to leave that class unless given written permission from the teacher in the scheduled class.
TARDINESS
A student arriving late to school or any class is marked tardy, and detention will be assigned. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified of the child's repeated tardiness. Parent(s)/guardian(s) of elementary students will be notified of the child's detention assignment. All portions of this attendance policy apply to special education students. Three tardies to any one class will be equated to one class truancy. Any combinations of class truancies and or class tardies that equal three class truancies will result in a loss of credit. Parents will be notified by mail as to the loss of credit and the procedure for filing an appeal. When a class tardy occurs a parent/guardian will be notified of the measures taken to properly address the violation
EARLY DISMISSAL OR LATE ARRIVAL
Students in grade(s) 11 and 12 who are assigned to a first or last period study hall may be excused for that period provided the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) has given prior written notice to the Principal. Upon written approval from the principal a student will then be granted permission for late arrival or early dismissal. Students approved for this privilege must sign in or out at the attendance office. Failure to do so, excessive tardiness, or violations of the Student Expectations Manual will result in a loss of this privilege.
