I have copied the N-Rule Policy as it was stated to the NNHS Faculty on September 3, 2009. I have added my own classroom policies (in green) as requested by my administration. It is my hope that by posting this from the beginning of the school year, any confusion to the attendance rules and classroom policies will be avoided. I do go over this policy with each of my classes at the beginning of the year. In addition, all homeroom teachers are responsible for going over the rule and a written summary was sent to each student's home address at some point in the year.

The N-Rule

N-Rule as an attendance indicator:

You will receive an N along with your academic grade if any of the following occur during a single marking period in a class that meets four times a week:

• Nine total absences or
• Three unexcused absences or
• Nine total tardies

In a class that meets twice a week, you will receive an N along with your academic grade if any of the following occur during a single marking period:

• Four total absences or
• Two unexcused absences or
• Four total tardies

All absences excused or unexcused count toward the N except for absences as a result of foreign exchanges, MCAS, and Special education testing.

Unexcused Absences ("cuts"):

For a student's first unexcused absence in a class the teacher must talk with the student about the absence and notify the housemater. We highly recommend that the teacher call the parent(s)/guardian to inform the home of the unexcused absence. We also recommend that the teacher require the student to make up the time with the teacher.

For a student's second unexcused absence in a class the teacher must notify the appropriate housemaster as soon as possible (within one school day at most) of the absence. The housemaster will call home, talk to the student, and work with the teacher to assign a detention.

For a student's third unexcused absence in a class the teacher must notify the  appropriate housemaster of the absence. The housemaster will meet with the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian, and will assign the appropriate consequences.

All additional unexcused absences will result in an immediate suspension and a required parent/guardian re-entry meeting.

Please note: An excused absence list will be posted by 11am each day. Parents will be required to call all excused absences in by 10am each day. (No more 3-day rule). If a parent calls or sends a note later than 10am on the day of the absence or before 10am the day after the absence, we will print a correction on the next day's attendance. After that, an absence will be considered unexcused.

Note from Miss Berg about her own additional policies regarding cuts:

If a student cuts class on the day of a test or quiz, then the test or quiz grade will result in a ZERO with no chance for make up.

If a student cuts class on the day of a lab, then the student must come within the week to make up the lab work (they will not be allowed to simply copy another student's data). However, not all labs can be made up due to limited resources or the material's longevity. If this happens, then the student will either be given a research assignment of equal value or be "excused" from the lab - meaning the assignment will not be counted against the student nor will it count for the student. (It will be considered a missed opportunity).

Tardy Rule

Teachers are encouraged to develop their own approach to handling students who are tardy to class. As a school, we will create opportunities to share our approaches, so all teachers feel supported as they develop their own policies. Although in the end, the tardy rule under the N will remain. If a student is more than 25 minutes late to class, the student receives an absence (either excused or unexcused) for that class.

Note from Miss Berg on her own personal handling of tardies:

After I have taken attendance, the class has officially started. If the student arrives after I have passed his/her name on the attendance list, he/she will be considered tardy. If a student is coming to class more than 5 minutes late, then I will take that student aside to have a conversation about the reasons for his/her extreme tardiness. Once a student has reached 4 tardies within a term, I will talk to the student as well as send a warning home to parents. If a student has reached 6 tardies, I will then involve the housemaster into the conversation. I will consider taking more immediate and severe disciplinary action if the behavior carries over into future terms.

Grade of "M"

Students who miss class for the majority of a quarter as a result of significant medical circumstances may receive a grade of "M." The request for a grade of "M" should be initiated by the counselor or special education liaison. The grade and credits will be determined through consultation with the teacher, department head, and housemaster.