The research is clear: Students who attend school regularly are able to learn more, have fewer discipline problems, develop better study habits, and often are more successful than students who do not. Hope Community Charter School recognizes that good attendance is essential to academic success.  Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career.

 

A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first-grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge. Research shows that attendance is an important factor in student achievement.

 

In New Jersey, truancy is defined as 10 or more cumulative unexcused absences

(N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3). A School Day in Session is a day on which the school is open and

students are under the guidance and direction of a teacher(s), and the day must be 4

hours or more to be considered a full day (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3. Students must be present for at least one hour in the morning and at least one hour in the afternoon to be considered as present for a full day (N.J.A.C. 6A:32- 8.3(k)). Our goal at Hope Charter is to have all children present in school every day and on time.

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Good school attendance plays a critical role in the academic success of every one

of our students. Parents/guardians are responsible for their child's punctuality,

attendance, cleanliness, and appropriateness of dress.

 

We realize achievement is adversely affected when a student has a high number of absences. Students who are absent from school for reasons other than illness are a primary concern because absences often result in missed opportunities and may lead to low academic achievement. Parents/guardians are encouraged to avoid situations where a child is absent from school for avoidable reasons.

 

Excused Absence - An excused absence is an absence for religious observance,

participation in Take Our Child to Work Day and Veterans Day, and closure of a

busing district that prevents a student from having transportation to the receiving

school.

 

Unexcused Absence- All absences, excluding those listed above, will be

considered unexcused absences.

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In an effort to maintain strong school attendance, an Attendance Team Committee consisting of administration, teachers, staff members, parents, and community members collaborate together.  Our team meets every other week to address attendance issues, planning and supporting both students and their families with any attendance concerns.  In addition, team members recognize students who continue to be present and on time to school each day through exciting monthly incentives such as visits from the Cape May Zoo and the Game Truck Party Bus.

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Our Attendance Committee is composed is various internal and external stakeholders.

Margaret McMillan:  School Leader

Jennifer Smith: VP, Truancy Officer

Chrystal Lowery:  School Nurse

Shanna Costello: K-2 Grade Representative

Mary Allin: 3-5 Grade Representative

Rob Goldstein:  6-7 Grade Representative

Sire Osorio: Parent/Community Representative