Attendance
In order for the board of education to fulfill its responsibility for providing a thorough and efficient education for each pupil, the complete cooperation of parents/guardians and pupils is required to maintain a high level of school attendance. The frequent absence of pupils from classroom learning experiences disrupts the continuity of the instructional process and limits the ability of pupils to complete the prescribed curriculum requirements successfully. A pupil must not be absent more than 10 days per cycle in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program requirements of the grade/course to which he/she/they are assigned. The board will report infractions of the law regarding the attendance of pupils below the age of 16 to appropriate authorities.
MPS District Policy: 5200 Student Attendance – Attendance letters, phone calls, meeting with school counselor/administration, and notification to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) will take place when we have a concern regarding a student’s attendance.
Calling out an Absence
Parents/guardians are requested to notify the school early in the day when a child will be absent and informing the school of the reason for the absence. Automatic attendance calls will be made daily at 9:20am. Please make sure that the school has a working phone number for contact; maintain accurate information in Genesis – Parent Access. https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/cms/one.aspx?pageId=5147463
Tardy to School
Students are expected to be in school on time. Late arrivals slow down not only your student’s learning, but also interrupt the rest of the class—and the teacher. The first bell rings at 8:40 am. Students have from 8:40 - 9:00 am to put away their coats, backpacks, etc. and be ready to start the instructional day promptly at 9:00 am. Students who arrive to school after 9:00 am are marked tardy. After 9:00 am, students must report to the office to be signed inand receive a late pass. A conference with the parent and the principal will be required for students with excessive tardiness.
Signing Students Out Before the End of the School Day
The board recognizes that from time-to-time compelling circumstances will require that a pupil be dismissed before the end of the school day. There are varying situations that may justify release of a student from school before the normal time for closing. Such situations are justifiable only if the release does not jeopardize the pupil’s educational program. No student shall be permitted to leave the school before the close of the school day unless they are met in the school office by their parent/guardian or a person authorized by the parent/guardian.
Students will not be called out of class after 2:45 pm—this is too close to dismissal and causes confusion for the classrooms. It is important that students are getting home safely, and last-minute changes make supervision more difficult.