School Hours

Students report at 8:00 AM and are dismissed at 3:00 PM.

Absence

When a student is absent, her parent/guardian must telephone the Main office,
973-226-0660, Ext. # 1110. Emails are not accepted notification.

• Please be prepared to supply the following information:
  - Name of Caller
  - Name of Student
  - Reason for absence

• If the student is missing a test, you must supply the following information:
  - Subject & Name of Teacher

If a student is expected to be absent for more than one day, the Office should be advised. The school must be called each day for consecutive absences.

Extended Absence

Students who are absent for extended period of time--- four (4) or more consecutive days, must present a doctor's certificate verifying the reason for the absence and clearance for return to school activities. On-going dialogue must occur between the parents/guardians, other pertinent adults and the Guidance Department during the absent period.

Accumulated absences of more than 8 nonconsecutive days in a semester—in one or in all courses—may be in danger of losing credit for those courses. Parents will be notified by the Administration when a danger of such action is indicated. If a pattern continues, a parent conference will be requested.

College Visits

Seniors are permitted two days absences for college visits.

Returning to School--- Written Note

1. For absences of one, two, three consecutive days:
   Must present to her homeroom moderator a note from her parent/guardian, listing the date(s) of the absence, and the reason for the absence, even though a phone call has already been made.

2. For absences of four or more consecutive days:
   If a student is absent due to illness for 4 or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note is required for the student to be allowed back to school. In this case, the student must see the school nurse upon her return.

Returning to School from Any Absence—Student Catching up on Work

If a student is absent from class, she must do the following within two days of her return:

1. Get the notes from a classmate, read the book, and try the homework herself, consult teacher web
2. If she still has questions, she should make an appointment with her teacher and come prepared with questions. She must have specific questions.

Participating in School Activities

A student must be present from the official opening of the school day to the close in order to participate in practice, rehearsals, trips, games or any other school-related activity scheduled for that calendar day. If any student is missing from a class and/or leaves the school grounds and cannot be located, her parents will be notified. If the parents cannot be located at that time, the police will be notified.

Lateness

Students arriving after 8:00 AM must report to the School Secretary in the Main Office for a Late Pass and to sign the Late Book. Lateness to school will merit an after school detention. If a student arrives after 10:30, it is considered a half-day absence. Students who are late will not be permitted to rent uniforms.

Early Dismissal

If a student leaves school at or before 12:30 PM, it is counted as a half-day absence. Parents are expected to schedule appointments such as medical and dental check-ups, driving tests, and college interviews after school hours or during vacation breaks. However, if that becomes impossible, the student who needs a future absence or an early dismissal should follow the following procedure:

1. Call or present a note to the main office BEFORE 8 AM
   
2. Be prepared to supply the following information:
   
   • Name of student
   • Name of caller and relationship to student
   • Reason for the Early Dismissal
   • The name of the person who will pick up the student
3. Meet the student at the Min Office to sign her out
4. If the student is missing a test, you must supply the subject and the name of the teacher.

Classes will not be interrupted to call the student to the office for an early dismissal. It should be noted that these absences are recorded, according to the time they consume, as a half-day or a full-day absence.

Becoming Ill at School

If a student becomes ill at school, she first reports to her classroom teacher who will give her a pass to see the nurse. The nurse will determine if early dismissal is necessary. In the absence of the school nurse, the student reports directly to the Main Office. Students are permitted to leave school early only if a parent can be contacted. This contact can be made only by the school nurse or Administration. A call from the student does not constitute an official request. The parent—or a person designated by the parent in an official call or note to the school—may pick up the ill student at the Main Office after signing the authorization notice and time of departure.

If a student drives herself to school, she may place a form in the file, signed by a parent/guardian, permitting her to drive herself home when an early dismissal is in order, whether it be for an appointment or for illness. In the case of illness, the parent must still be notified and consent to the student’s driving home, if the school nurse decides that the student is capable of driving.

Physical Education Medical Excuse

For long term of four days or more, a written excuse from a doctor is necessary. The student will be assigned written work to fulfill the Physical Education requirement.

Voluntary Absence

Family vacation trips should be scheduled during school vacation days. If a student must be absent for a reason other than illness, written notification must be given two weeks in advance to the Head of School. If approved, the student will receive an assignment form from the school secretary. His form must be completed with an assignment and signature from each subject teacher and a copy returned to the Main Office prior to the student’s absence. Also, prior to leaving, the student must schedule a precise time for taking any major tests she may miss. If not taken at the scheduled time, the test cannot be made up for full credit. All missed days are recorded as absences.

Student Departure Time after School Activities

Any student who attends a school dance, game or activity must previously ascertain the closing or departure time for that event from the moderator or coach and arrange for transportation home at that time. If a student has not been picked up by thirty minutes after the officially announced departure time, a taxi will be ordered to take her home—at her parent’s expense.