STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY
One goal of the Princeton Regional Schools is to provide an appropriate educational program for every student. A child’s participation in all classroom activities is essential in order to attain this goal. Parents are urged to work with the schools in making certain that their children attend school regularly.
ABSENCES
Acceptable excuses for absences include illness or remedial health treatment, legal or religious obligation, family-determined need, and (in Grades 9-12) college visits totaling no more than three (3) days. Notes will be kept on file documenting each absence. Any diagnosis of a communicable disease should be reported to the school nurse immediately so that the parents of other students exposed to the disease may be informed.
Kindergarten-Grade 8
A student who has been absent must submit a written excuse signed by his/her parent or guardian. If the absence was due to illness, any required health-screening procedures must also be observed.
Grades 9-12
The complete text of the Princeton High School Procedure is available in the Student Handbook. There are two basic categories of student absence: verified absences and unverified absences.
1. Verified Absences
An absence that is caused by illness, injury, family emergency, preapproved (through the assistant principal) family need, such as a college visit (maximum of three days), a driver’s test, or a medical/dental appointment that cannot be made outside of the school day will be classified as a verified absence if a note signed by a parent or legal guardian is received in the attendance office within three (3) days of the absence. All verified absences are counted toward the total of 18 for denial of credit. Only absences caused by religious obligation or absences that are school imposed (e.g., suspensions, field trips) do not accumulate toward the limit of 18 absences.
Parents will be notified on a regular basis concerning their child’s absence record in each class. Chronic absenteeism will be monitored and be referred to the Attendance Review Committee, composed of faculty, guidance counselors, administration, and other individuals (e.g., Child Study Team member, Substance Abuse Coordinator, etc.) as needed.
2. Unverified Absences (“Class Cuts”)
There is a zero allowance for unverified absences for all students.
3. Right of Appeal
At each of the last levels of student absence (e.g., 9th, 15th, and 18th in full-year courses, or 3rd, 5th, and 9th in semester courses), the student has the option to appeal any extenuating circumstances regarding his or her attendance record, to the Attendance Review Committee. The appeal must be filed, in writing, with the assistant principal within five (5) school days of receipt of the notice. The Attendance Review Committee may recommend a modification of the credit status to the principal if they deem the extenuating circumstances warrant such action. The principal shall have the final authority in all appeals at the high school.
4. Calls and Notes
Parents are requested to call the attendance office (806-4244) between 7:30-8:30 a.m. to report absences for their children. In addition, a student returning from an absence must bring a note from a parent/guardian or a physician to the attendance office (located in the nurse’s suite of offices). If a note is received within three (3) days, the absence will be listed as “verified,” which is a clarification, not an excuse.
TARDINESS
Each student is expected to be in school for the full day’s program in order to receive the benefit of the entire educational process, to minimize disturbance of the classroom routine, and to avoid needless repetition of subject matter by teachers.
Kindergarten-Grade 8
When a student arrives late, his/her parent or guardian should bring the student to the school’s main office before the student may report to his/her class.
Grades 9-12
Students will be required to arrive at class on time and will be held accountable by the teacher for excessive tardiness. A student will be considered tardy if he or she arrives at class after the bell sounds beginning that particular class period. Three (3) tardies equal one (1) absence.
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