Attendance/Lateness

A.      Regular attendance in שעור and in class is important both for the individual student and for the class. Although students are able study on their own, the שעור and the class offer the intellectual stimulation of peers and teachers in discussion and interaction. Frequent absences will adversely affect a student’s academic progress.

B.      Time is an extremely precious commodity. Lost time, and thus lost opportunity, cannot be replaced easily. Students are therefore expected to be punctual for all classes and activities, and to be ready for instruction with textbooks, notebooks, pens, etc. at the start of every period.

C.      Parents are expected to inform the Upper School office in advance of any anticipated absence. The same protocol applies when a student will be late to school or will need to leave school early. Notes from doctor offices or other professional appointments also serve as proper documentation, and parents’ e-mails or faxes, which explain the nature of the absence may in most cases be deemed sufficient. An absence for any part of the school day that was not previously approved requires documentation post-facto to explain the nature of the absence.

D.      Students who arrive late must sign the “sign-in board” located in the Upper School office. Likewise, students who leave during the school day must place their names on the board. It is imperative that all students inform us as to their comings and goings, presuming permissions have been granted, during the school day.

E.       Students are responsible for all work missed and for all assignments given while absent from school for any reason. Absent students are advised to contact classmates to discover what was covered in class, and to touch base with instructors immediately upon returning to school. Many teachers will have posted materials to their MJBHA websites. Students with short–term absences should expect to take exams missed immediately upon return to school. Students who unfortunately experience longer absences will be expected to work out a schedule for completing outstanding work with the student’s instructors and guidance counselors. 

F.       An unexcused absence is one for which sufficient documentation is not provided. A note from a parent saying, “Please excuse my child for being absent”, without further explanation, is not considered sufficient documentation. Students who do not present documentation, or who miss afternoon classes but do not have expressly written permission of the administration or athletic director are in violation of the MJBHA attendance policies and will be met with administrative consequences. The administration will address a student who ‘cuts’ class repeatedly with additional administrative consequences.

G.      If a student misses any form of assessment during a class from which they are absent without a well-documented excuse, the student may earn a zero on the exercise without receiving a makeup.

H.      A student who is absent without an authorized excuse from any portion of a school day may be ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities taking place later that day.

I.        The schedule provides for a break between classes, with some recesses of greater length than others. Students are expected to know when classes begin and to be present when the next class bell rings. A student who arrives late a small number of times will be required to serve lunchtime detentions. Consistent lateness will result in further administrative consequences.

J.        Parents and students are expected to schedule non-emergency appointments (e.g., dental cleanings, doctor well-visits) during non-school hours.