North Hunterdon High School
Attendance Office

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Absences

Students are allowed to have 16 unexcused absences in a full year course and 8 unexcused in a half year course. Absences fall into two categories: Excused and Unexcused.

The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District believes that regular attendance is vital for student success. We’re committed to meeting New Jersey’s state standard of a 90% attendance rate, and to help us achieve this, our attendance policy and regulations have been revised for the upcoming year. Please refer to the 5113 Attendance Policy-Regulation.

Here’s a breakdown of the attendance for Parents/Students:

  • What Counts as “Present”?
    • Student(s) may be denied course credit if they have been absent from more than eight (8) classes in a semester course or sixteen (16) classes in a year course.
    • A student is considered present if they participate in instruction for at least half a day in session. This includes being physically on school grounds, at an approved off-grounds location, or in a virtual/remote instruction setting.
    • A school day must consist of at least four hours of actual instruction, excluding lunch.
    • Students participating in approved school activities, such as field trips, meetings, cooperative education assignments, or athletic competitions, are considered in attendance. Students in independent study or vocational Co-Op are also considered in regular attendance if guidelines are followed.
  • Excused Absences: A parent note must be given to the Attendance Office / northattendance@nhvweb.net
    • State-Excused Absences (Do not count against attendance for State chronic absenteeism reporting purposes):
    • Religious observance.
    • College visits (up to 3 days per school year for juniors and seniors).
    • “Take Our Children to Work Day“.
    • Participation in Veterans Day observance.
    • Participation in district board of election membership activities.
    • Closure of a busing district preventing transportation to the receiving school.
    • Attendance at a civic event (one time per school year for grades 6-12, with 5 days prior written notice and documentation).
  • Locally-Excused Absences (May be considered excused for truancy, conduct, promotion, retention, and credit, but still count as absences for State chronic absenteeism reporting):
    • Consistent with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), accommodation plans, and individualized health care plans.
    • Student’s suspension from school.
    • Family critical illness or death (with written parent letter upon return). This is just for critical types of situations, not for common infectious sickness such as cold, flu, etc. Please refer to Unexcused absences below.
    • Examination for a driver’s license.
  • Unexcused Absences:
    • An absence is unexcused if it’s for any reason other than those listed as “state excused” or specifically locally approved.
    • Examples include student illness, family travel, household duties, activities unrelated to school, leaving school without permission, or being present in school but absent from class (“class cut”).
  • Parent Responsibilities:
    • Notify the school early in the day if a student will be absent, providing the reason. For foreseeable absences, notify in advance.
    • Provide a written statement (dated and signed) of the reason for absence upon the student’s return. Failure to provide documentation may result in the absence being considered unexcused.
    • Be available to confirm early dismissals for appointments.
  • Chronic Absenteeism:
    • A student is considered chronically absent if they are not present for 10% or more of their days in membership, excluding State-excused absences. Schools with a high rate of chronically absent students must develop a corrective action plan.
  • Consequences and Interventions for Unexcused Absences/Truancy:
    • Up to four (4) unexcused absences: The school will attempt to notify parents, determine the cause, and identify actions to address the pattern of absences.
    • Five to nine (5-9) unexcused absences (specifically seven (7) or more in regulation): The school will continue to notify parents, evaluate prior actions, and develop an Amnesty-Action plan. This plan may involve referrals to intervention teams, assessments, alternative placements, community resources, or even court referral for violations of compulsory education law or evidence of a juvenile-family crisis.
    • Ten (10) or more cumulative unexcused absences: The student (ages 6-16) is considered truant. The district will determine the need for a court referral, continue to consult with parents, and cooperate with law enforcement. Parents may face fines (up to $25 for first offense, $100 for subsequent offenses) and court appearances. Attendance officers have police power to enforce these provisions.
  • Impact on Course Credit and Other Privileges:
    • Students must be in attendance for 150 or more school days to successfully complete instructional program requirements.
    • Students may be denied partial or total course credit for excessive unexcused absences. For secondary students, this can occur with more than eight (8) absences in a semester course or sixteen (16) in a year course (excluding State-excused and suspension absences). Waivers of attendance requirements may be granted for good cause by the principal upon review committee recommendation.
    • Unexcused absences can also lead to denial of participation in extracurricular activities or athletic competition, detention, or suspension.
  • Tardiness and Early Dismissal:
    • Students are expected to arrive at school and class on time. Tardiness can lead to disciplinary action, including detention, loss of credit, or being counted as an unexcused absence. Three unexcused tardies can lead to detention, with escalating consequences for more occurrences.
    • Early dismissals for reasons like medical appointments or family emergencies require prior written request from a parent/guardian and verification by the school. Leaving school without permission is considered truancy and will be dealt with severely, potentially leading to suspension.
    • Early Dismissal for 12th-Grade Study Hall: 12th-grade students can be excused from their last-period study hall and leave school early if their parent/guardian (or the emancipated student) has given prior notice, completed the required SENIOR LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL PERMISSION FORM and submitted them to the Attendance Office / northattendance@nhvweb.net. Approved students MUST still sign out by the Front of the school by the Athletics office every time you leave. YOU CANNOT JUST WALK OUT OF ANY DOOR AND JUST LEAVE! Excused students must leave school grounds.
  • Students with Disabilities:
    • Attendance guidelines, discipline, and remedial measures apply to students with disabilities in accordance with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other applicable laws. The IEP team can decide if a different setting or manner of instruction (like home instruction) is needed, and the student would be marked “present” in those cases.
  • Appeals: 
    • Parents and students have the right to appeal decisions regarding disciplinary actions, including loss of credit or grade level retention, through a defined grievance procedure. Please reach out to your child’s counselor and they will notify the proper authorities.