Excused Absences - FYI
State-excused:
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36, State-excused absences shall be the following and will require documentation for verification. Note: the phrase “Signed Written Notice” can be hard copy or email.
- Religious observance
- Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-14,15, and 16: any absence because of religious holidays shall be recorded as excused absence on the pupil's attendance record
- The commissioner, with the approval of the state board, shall prescribe rules relative to absences for religious holidays including, but not limited to, a list of holidays on which it shall be mandatory to excuse a pupil
- A parent/guardian of a student shall provide a signed written notice of an intended excused absence for religious observance prior to the date of the absence
- Participation in observance of Veterans Day
- Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-13.2: any public school student who is absent from school on November 11, Veterans Day, attending a ceremony honoring a veteran or a member of the United States Armed Forces or the New Jersey National Guard returning from overseas deployments, or assisting a veteran at a hospital, food shelter, or any similar facility, shall have the absence for those reasons
- A parent/guardian of a student shall provide a signed written notice of an intended excused absence for Veteran’s Day or events for a veteran prior to the date of the absence.
- Participation in district board of election membership activities
- Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-33: any pupil of any public school who serves as a member of a district board of election on the day of any election
- A parent/guardian of a student shall provide a signed written notice of an intended excused absence for participation in district board of election membership activities prior to the date of the absence.
- Take Our Child to Work Day
- A parent/guardian of a student shall provide a signed written notice of an intended excused absence for Take Our Child to Work Day prior to the date of the absence.
- College visit(s), up to three days per school year from students in grades eleven and twelve
- A parent/guardian of a student shall provide a signed written notice of an intended excused absence for college visit(s) prior to the date of the absence.
- Upon return from the visit, documentation MUST be provided by the college/university outlining the successful completion of the visit. Acceptable documentation examples include:
- A notification of a formal visit in which the HHS student was on campus and participated in a tour.
- An email from a college/university representative from the admissions office outlining a visit.
- A hard copy from a college/university representative from the admissions office outline a visit.
- Closure of a busing school district that prevents a student from having transportation to the school
- Sending Districts will notify the school when transportation is not available, parents/guardians should contact the main office to confirm the child’s absence
- Attendance at a civic event, one day per school year for students in grades six through twelve
- Pursuant to N.J.S.A 18A:36-33.2: “civic event” means an event sponsored by a government entity, a community-based organization that incorporates elements of service learning whereby students learn and develop through organized service. A civic event shall address an issue of public concern such as community health and safety or environmental, economic, or community well-being in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:36-33.1
- A parent/guardian of a student shall provide a signed written notice of an intended excused absence to attend a civic event at least five school days in advance of the intended excused absence and such other documentation as the Superintendent deems necessary to prove that the student meets the requirements of an excused absence pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-33.2.b
- Administrative reasons that will be denoted accordingly in the absence system and will not count towards attendance
- Home Instruction
- Documentation from a physician requesting home instruction, indicating the nature of the illness and the length of time the child will be required to remain on home instruction to be confirmed for Board approval.
- In-School Suspensions
- Out-of-School Suspensions
- District Approved Field Trips and School Events