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Attendance Office
Attendance Office Phone: 856-468-1445 x2102
 
Regular attendance is absolutely essential for student success. Therefore, the district maintains programs which support consistent attendance.
On a regular session day, a student must attend nine periods to be counted as present for the day and six periods to be counted for a half day. A student must attend all periods on a half day to be counted present.
 
Any time that a student is going to be absent from school, his/her parent/guardian should notify the school by calling 856-468-1445, ext. 2102, before 9:00 a.m. School personnel will contact parents of students who are not in school and have not called to report the absence.
 
Upon a student’s return from an absence, a note from the parent/guardian and/or a physician’s note should be presented to the Attendance Office within 3 days. If a note is not submitted, the absence will be considered unverified.
 
The following reasons for absence can be considered acceptable:
  • Personal illness
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Court
  • Religious holiday
  • College visitation – verification from the college must be provided
  • Driver’s test
  • Field trips or school sponsored activities
  • Other medical or emergency circumstances as determined by the Principal
  • Take Your Child To Work Day
  • Job Interviews
Homebound instruction days are not considered as absences.
 
Vacations are not acceptable reasons for absences.
 
When a student has been absent for 5 days, the Guidance Counselor will send a letter and follow the letter with a phone call to the parent. The parent will be informed of the need for improved attendance and will be notified that there will be a mandatory conference for students who reach a total of ten days absent without sufficient and verified reasons.
 
When a student has been absent for 10 days, a letter will be sent and the parent/guardian along with the student will be required to meet with the Assistant Principal. The parent/guardian will be informed of the serious nature of attendance problems and the possible consequences of continued absence including disciplinary actions, academic consequences, and/or loss of credit and progression toward a diploma.
 
When a student exceeds 15 days absent, a certified letter will be sent and a conference will be held between the Principal, parent/guardian, student, and other personnel who can make informed decisions regarding the student. These personnel may include Guidance Counselors, child study team members, teachers, or other administrators. At this conference a written plan will be developed which will outline the following:
  • Any disciplinary consequences of the student’s poor attendance
  • Credit status
  • Requirements for making up missed work including the possible need for credit completion
  • Any need to refer student to the Child Study Team or need to develop a 504 plan
  • Need for summer school or course repetition
  • Graduation status/enrollment status
  • Any legal requirement to refer case to municipal court and/or DYFS
  • Need to repeat the grade
 
In making these determinations, the following factors will be taken into account:
  • Student’s health status
  • Reasons for missed school days
  • Student’s attendance history
  • Willingness and ability to meet course requirements
  • Potential disability issues which may be impacting attendance
When a student has been absent more than 15 days without sufficient or verified reasons, the student will be ineligible to:
  • Participate in co-curricular activities including athletics
  • Attend overnight field trips including junior and senior trip
  • Attend school dances, cotillions, or proms
  • Loss of driving privileges
  • Ineligibility for graduation
Students and/or their parents may appeal any disciplinary action through the following sequence:
  • Petition for a hearing with the Superintendent
  • Appeal to the Board of Education
  • Appeal to the Commissioner of Education
Early Release and Lateness to School
Students who require early release from school must present a written request from their parent/guardian to the Attendance Office. Students who leave the school before dismissal without proper authorization will be subject to disciplinary action.
 
Tardiness
Students who are continually late for class will be subject to disciplinary action.
 
Cutting Class
Students who cut class will be subject to disciplinary action as described above. In addition, continual class cutting will result in the District’s initiation of procedures outlined for absenteeism.
© Gloucester County Institute of Technology. 1360 Tanyard Rd., Sewell, NJ 08080. Phone: 856-468-1445