Attendance, Absenteeism, and Truancy

New Hampshire state law on school attendance states (RSA 193:1) a parent of any child at least six (6) years of age and under eighteen (18) years of age shall cause such child to attend the public school to which the child is assigned in the child’s resident district.

Milford High School students are expected to be in school from 7:40 AM to 2:12 PM for the 178 days approved by the Milford School Board. Attendance in school is the primary responsibility of parents and students.

Consistent attendance and success in the classroom go “hand in hand.” Absences prevent a student from gaining the total benefit and total content of a course. Participation in the classroom through the exchange of ideas, the oral defense of one’s opinions, and the application of information in laboratory and “hands-on” situations are all vital and necessary learning experiences. This emphasis on good attendance is consistent with Milford High School and ATC’s Core Principle Be Present and helps ensure the development of well-educated citizens prepared to contribute responsibly in their civic, social, and career endeavors.

TRUANCY

Truancy is defined as any unexcused absence from class or school, as determined by the
Principal/designee. Any absence that has not been excused for any of the reasons listed
below will be considered an unexcused absence. Additionally, students may be considered
truant even when absences are excused, if those absences have a detrimental effect on a
child’s academic success.

In general, the Board considers the following to be excused absences:

Illness (including medical/dental appointments, recovery from an accident, or
family emergencies)
Required court attendance
Death in the family
Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday
Alternative Learning opportunities preapproved by the Principal
Such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Principal or permitted by
law

Five full days of school (or ten half-days) of unexcused absence during a school year
constitutes habitual truancy. A half-day absence is defined as a student missing more
than two hours of instructional time and less than three and one-half hours of
instructional time. Any absence of more than three and one-half hours of instructional
time shall be considered a full-day absence.

When the building administration identifies a student as a habitual truant, a process of intervention with the student, staff, and parents will commence. These interventions will consider the reasons for the truancy, modifications to the student’s educational program to address the truancy, parent involvement in addressing the truancy, and possible discipline to reduce the truant behavior. In extreme instances, where all interventions prove ineffective, where the administration believes the offense is a parenting issue, and/or the welfare of the student is in question, the administration shall be forced to make a report of educational neglect with the Division of Children Youth and Families.

A complete copy of district policy 3515 on Attendance, Absenteeism, and Truancy can be found
on the school district website or at https://www.milfordk12.org/apps/pages/3515 and
https://www.milfordk12.org/apps/pages/3515-b

VACATION ABSENCES

Family vacations while school is in session are strongly discouraged. If parents/guardians wish for their child to be absent for reasons other than those listed above, the parent/guardian must provide a written explanation of the reason for the absence and the length of time the student will be absent at least one week prior to the start of the absence. The Principal or designee shall make a determination as to whether the request meets good cause and may deny the request in whole or in part. Should the Principal or designee not authorize the request, the parents/guardians may request a conference with the Principal to again explain the reasons for non-attendance. The Principal may then reconsider their initial determination. However, at this juncture, the Principal's decision shall be final. If approval is granted, the student is responsible for obtaining any class work in advance of his/her vacation.

EXAMPLES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES

Medical appointments, college visits, religious holidays, bereavement, court appointments, obtaining driver’s license, and school sponsored/sanctioned activities and events are examples of excused absences. Other valid requests will be considered by the administration.

While student illness is generally considered an excused absence, students who are repeatedly called out for illness may be required to provide medical certification/documentation from their physician. Failure to provide this upon request may result in absences being considered unexcused and all rights to credited makeup work denied.

Students with excessive absences will be reviewed by administration and could be referred to outside agencies for further intervention. Letters will be issued to the student and parent/guardian by a school administrator prior to this action.

MAKEUP WORK DURING EXCUSED ABSENCES

The time period for makeup work will be equal to the amount of time missed. For example, a
student who is absent for one day will have one day to make up the work that they missed on the
day of their absence. Any homework or incomplete classwork assigned prior to their absence
should be brought in completed when the student returns to school.

Students who are absent frequently may not defer makeup work because of subsequent absences.
Students out on an extended absence (3 or more consecutive school days) should request makeup
work during their absence and complete it while out unless they have a waiver for medical or
personal reasons. Suspended students (both in school and out of school) can receive 100% credit
for work completed and turned in within the allotted time.

Students are responsible for checking their Google Classrooms and/or making arrangements with
teachers to make up their school.

Page Contents

TRUANCY

VACATION ABSENCES

EXAMPLES OF

EXCUSED ABSENCES

MAKEUP WORK DURING

EXCUSED ABSENCES