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 180 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 a core value of Milford High School, the development of well-educated citizens prepared to contribute responsibly in their civic, social and career endeavors.
TRUANCY
Truancy is defined as any absence from school without the expressed consent, in advance, by that student’s parent or legal guardian, or any absence with or without consent which is undertaken without regard for State Law RSA 193:1. Truant students will be processed through the Milford High School Truancy Diversion Program to include school administration, the district School Resource Officer (SRO) and other support services.
A complete copy of district policy 3515 can be found on the school district website or can be obtained in the Main Office.
VACATION ABSENCES
Family vacations while school is in session are strongly discouraged. Parents must make a formal request a minimum of two weeks prior to the start of the vacation in order to request an approval. The administration reserves the right to deny the request for excused days in part or in whole. If approval is granted, the student is responsible for obtaining any class work in advance of his/her vacation.
A formal vacation request must include dates absent and why this trip cannot be taken during the summer or regularly scheduled school vacations.
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 who have accumulated eight or more total absences in a semester (excused and/or unexcused) may be placed on academic probation. If a student is placed on probation, the student and his/her parents, in cooperation with school counseling and the administrative team, will create a plan to improve attendance.
Students with excessive absences will be reviewed by administration and could possibly 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 should 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 any missed work. Students who are absent frequently may not defer makeup 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.
Students needing makeup work during an extended illness will be required to give the office and teacher 24 hours notice in order that the assignments can be properly prepared. Work can be picked up at the Main Office.
Students with unexcused absences who have missed a summative assessment must first serve an academic administrative detention in order to be eligible to make it up. Once the detention has been served, the student will receive a pass to make up the work.
Suspended students (both internally and externally) will receive 100% credit for work completed and turned in.
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TRUANCY
VACATION ABSENCES
EXAMPLES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES
MAKEUP WORK DURING EXCUSED ABSENCES
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