Dear families,
We hope this message finds you well. We are reaching out to remind you of the importance of regular attendance and to clarify the process for notifying the school when your child is absent.
Reporting Absences
If your child is absent, please notify the school as soon as possible. You can inform us in the following ways:
Documenting Absences
If your child is absent for a medical reason, and you have a doctor’s note, please provide it to the front office or attendance office so the absence can be marked as excused. For other absences excused under SOMSD Attendance Policy 5200 and SOMSD Attendance Regulation 5200, please provide the appropriate documentation, such as a note from a medical facility or other relevant organization.
For absences due to religious holidays, a parent note is sufficient to have the absence marked as excused.
What Constitutes a Full School Day
According to N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3(a) and (b), a school day in session is defined as a day in which the school is open and students are under the guidance and direction of teacher(s). For a day to be considered a full school day, students must be in attendance for at least four hours. Meeting these standards is crucial to ensure your child’s day counts fully toward their attendance record.
Attendance Requirements for High School Students
For high school families: Attendance is counted per course and per day at the high school level. High school students must be present in each course to earn the necessary credit hours for that course, which is essential for graduation and academic progress.
Understanding Chronic Absenteeism
Attendance is a critical factor in your child’s academic success. Students who are absent more than 10% of the school year are considered chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism can lead to gaps in learning, lower grades, and increased difficulty in maintaining a connection with peers and the school community. It can also affect your child’s progression and development of essential skills that support long-term success.
Accessing Attendance Letters in the PowerSchool Parent Portal
Please note that attendance letters will be turned in this week. If your child has more than four absences this year, you may receive multiple attendance letters. Please reach out to your child’s school administration if you are struggling with attendance. We are here to help.
Note: Attendance letters are not accessible through the PowerSchool iOS and Android applications. Please use a computer or the internet browser on your smartphone to view the reports.
- Open an internet browser.
- Visit the district homepage at www.somsd.k12.nj.us.
- Navigate through Quick Links → Parents → PowerSchool.
- Enter your username and password in the appropriate fields.
If you do not have a parent portal account or forget your login credentials, please view the parent portal support webpage by clicking here. You can also email parentportalhelp@somsd.k12.nj.us for assistance. - Press the Sign in button.
- Select eDocuments on the left navigation menu.
- Select Daily Attendance Letters or Class Attendance Letters (CHS Only).
- Select the desired attendance letter.
- A new tab will open in your browser and will display a PDF copy of the letter.
