Our Week at Reutter School
Week of January 20, 2026
Principal's Message
Dear Reutter School Families/Guardians,
As we continue the academic year for our fifth and sixth-grade students, I want to take a moment to emphasize a key aspect of our students' success: regular school attendance. We believe that consistent and timely attendance is crucial for your child’s academic and personal growth, and I would like to share with you why this is so important.
Why Attendance Matters for Our RAMS
- Academic Achievement: Regular attendance is directly linked to academic success. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to excel academically because they are present for vital instruction, participate in classroom activities, and benefit from continuous learning.
- Routines and Responsibilities: Consistent school attendance helps students develop important life skills such as punctuality, responsibility, and time management. These skills are valuable not only in their academic life but also in future careers and personal endeavors.
- Sense of Belonging: Routine and structure provided by regular school attendance can positively impact students' emotional well-being. Being part of a classroom community and having a consistent daily schedule can help students feel secure and supported, which in turn enhances overall mental health and readiness to learn.
- Support for Family and School Partnership: When students are present in school, it strengthens the partnership between families and educators. We can better support and monitor their progress, address any challenges students may face, and work together to ensure the educational experience is both positive and productive.
Reutter School Attendance Policy Requirements
The TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL NOT CONDONE NOR PERMIT ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL ON ANY DAY FOR ANY REASON NOT SPECIFIED IN LAW OR POLICY. (Referencing Policies 5200, 5240, and 5410).
Required Documentation for Absences
A written note from the parent/guardian for the absence is required upon the student’s return to school. The note must contain the pupil’s name, date, reason for absence, and the signature of the parent/guardian.
Make-Up Work Procedure
In such cases of absence, students are encouraged to make up the academic work missed during their absence. At Reutter School, students will receive one day to make up missed work due to an absence for every day that they are absent. Due dates for projects will not be adjusted for a student’s absence unless there is prior approval by the teacher of such class.
Tardiness and Early Release
The orderly conduct of class activity is predicated upon the prompt and precise beginning of the program. Tardiness and Early Release hinders the proper conduct of such activity, imposes distraction which leads to a loss of instructional time for pupils properly in attendance, and denotes school time loss by the tardy pupil.
- Lateness: In the case of lateness, students are required to bring a note written by the parent/guardian on the day of tardiness. The note should indicate the reason for tardiness. Parents/Guardians and the student must share the responsibility of being on time.
- Early Release (Excused Reasons Only): The district recognizes and will grant permission for four (4) reasons which create a legitimate need for release from school:
1. Illness which manifested itself after having reported to school.
2. Certified appointment with a physician/dentist.
3. Court appearance with verification of appointment.
4. Emergencies (as approved by the Principal).
The student must be picked up at the school office. No pupil will be released from school without: a note from the parent/guardian containing the pupil’s name, date, reason for early dismissal, and the signature of the parent/guardian; AND a parent/guardian or other authorized person signing a release form in the office.
Excused vs. Unexcused Absences (Truancy)
A student shall be recorded as absent in the school register when not in attendance at a session of the school while a member of the school, except students excused for religious observances who shall be recorded as excused.
An unexcused absence that counts towards truancy is a student’s absence from school for a full or portion of a day for any reason that is not an excused absence as defined below:
Excused Absences:
- The student’s illness, supported by a written letter from the physician upon student’s return to school.
- The student’s required attendance in court.
- Where appropriate, when consistent with Individualized Education programs, the I.D.E.A. accommodations and health care plans.
- The student’s suspension from school.
- Family illness or death supported by a written letter from the parent upon the student’s return to school.
- Necessary or unavoidable medical or dental appointments, that cannot be scheduled at a time other than the school day, as supported by a note from the physician.
- Take Your Child to Work Day.
- An absence considered excused by the Commissioner of Education and/or a New Jersey Department of Education rule.
- An absence for a reason not listed above, but deemed excused by the Principal upon a written request by the student’s parent stating the reason for the absence due to extenuating circumstances.
Important Medical Documentation Deadlines:
- An absence of five (5) consecutive days or more shall require a doctor’s certificate immediately upon return to school.
- Physician notes are to be submitted to the school’s main office within ten (10) days of the student returning to school in order for the absence to be considered excused.
Monitoring and Consequences
As per our Student Handbook, “Parents will be notified periodically, in writing, of their child’s absence and tardy totals. Parents and students are also encouraged to regularly view their absence and tardy totals through the Realtime system. Students with 12 or more unexcused absences will lose all “extra” privileges and extracurricular activities. DCP&P and local law enforcement may also be contacted with the concern that the child may be suffering from parental neglect. The principal may request meetings with parents in order to review a child’s attendance records. In cases where parents do not contact the main office in a timely manner to set up a meeting, a child may be withheld from extracurricular activities until a meeting has occurred. A parent or student may request to meet with the principal in order to petition for leniency with the attendance rules.”
A list of New Jersey Department of Education authorized religious holidays can be accessed at: http://www.state.nj.us/education/genfo/holidays1516.pdf
We understand that occasional absences due to illness or emergencies are inevitable, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping us informed of such instances. However, we encourage you to prioritize regular school attendance and work with us to address any concerns that might impact your child's ability to attend consistently.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mr. Theodore Peters
Principal
Caroline L. Reutter School
Caroline L. Reutter School
Email: tpeters@franklintwpschools.org
Website: www.franklintwpschools.org
Location: 2150 Delsea Drive, Franklinville, NJ, USA
Phone: 856-694-0223
