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Attendance

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Absence Line - 609-738-2649

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, every parent or legal guardian of a child between the ages of six and sixteen is responsible for ensuring that the child attends school regularly.

The North Hanover Township School District believes that consistent attendance promotes academic achievement, reinforces responsibility, and fosters a strong home-school partnership.

Reporting Absences

If your child is going to be absent, please notify the school by calling the UES Absence Line at (609) 738-2649 and leave a message with your child’s full name, grade, and reason for absence. 

Truancy & Remediation Measures

When a student accumulates unexcused absences, the following actions may be taken:

Unexcused Absences School Response
3 days Parent contact by phone or letter; teacher and/or counselor check-in
7 days Written notice home; Attendance Action Plan created with input from family and staff
10  days I&RS referral; in-person conference may be required; district may notify appropriate outside agencies
 12 Days  Social worker reaches out to  create an action plan.
 15 Days Meeting with principal informing parents of next steps.
15+ days May trigger referral to truancy court or DCPP depending on circumstances; retention may be considered if educational progress is impacted

To report an absence, please call the absence line at 609-738-2649 prior to 8:00 a.m.

Homework and Makeup Work After an Absence

The Board of Education believes that homework is an important extension of classroom instruction. It serves to reinforce learning, promote independence, and deepen understanding. Homework will not be assigned for punitive reasons and is limited in duration to no more than 10 minutes per grade level (e.g., 40 minutes in Grade 4).

Students who are absent for any reason are expected to make up all missed assignments, classwork, and tests. Students are given 2.5 school days per day absent to complete and submit missed work. For example, if a student is absent for two days, they will have five school days to make up all missed work.

For pre-planned absences, families must notify the school in writing, and work may be provided in one of two ways:

  1. Advance Work – Teachers may provide assignments expected to be covered during the absence, if those materials are already prepared.

  2. Alternate Assignments – Teachers may provide work aligned to current topics or essential learning targets. Remaining work will be provided upon the student’s return.

To receive assignments in advance, a parent or guardian must submit a request at least three (3) school days prior to the anticipated absence. Unless otherwise arranged, all advance workprovided is due upon return to school.