Attendance to school is essential to each child's success. When a child is not present, s/he is missing essential lessons, which scaffold or build on skills and concepts already learned.

Parents want their children to do well in school, but many do not fully understand the connection between lack of school attendance and a student’s success in learning essential skills and concepts.

STATE LAWS ON SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
The State of NH mandates school attendance and the responsibility of the parents/guardians to ensure regular school attendance in Chapter 193 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated: Effective August, 28 2017

193:1 Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil.
I. A parent of any child at least six years of age and under 16 years of age shall cause such child to attend the public school to which the child is assigned in the child's resident district. Such child shall attend full time when such school is in session unless:

• A. The child is attending a public school outside the district to which the child is assigned or an approved private school for the same time;

• B. The child is receiving home education; or

• C. The relevant school district superintendent has excused a child from attendance because the child is physically or mentally unable to attend school, or has been temporarily excused upon the request of the parent for purposes agreed upon by the school authorities and the parent. Such excused absences shall not be permitted if they cause a serious adverse effect upon the student"s educational progress. Students excused for such temporary absences may be claimed as full-time pupils for purposes of calculating state aid under RSA 186-C:18 and RSA 198:27-37.

II. A child who reaches their sixth birthday after September 30 shall not be required to attend school under the provisions of this section until the following year.

III. In this section, "parent” means a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody of a child.

III. Any child at least 16 years of age and under 18 years of age who wishes to terminate such child’s public or non-public education prior to graduating from high school shall do so only after a conference with the principal or designee. The principal shall request a conference with the parent, guardian, or other custodian. Written approval of withdrawal must be received from such child’s parent, guardian, or other person residing in the state and having custody or charge of such child at least 60 days prior to withdrawal. However, a waiver to the 60-day notice requirement may be granted at the discretion of the school board. The written approval shall be dated and the signature witnessed by the principal of the school where the child is in attendance, or the principal’s designee.

PROCEDURES:

Attendance, Absenteeism and Truancy (Policy JH)

Regular school attendance is essential for a student to grow and develop the grade level skills that will help the student achieve his/her potential. This includes being ready for the next grade level. While there are legitimate reasons for being absent from school it is important to know that academic progress in the classroom continues. Therefore, missing many days of school puts the student at a disadvantage. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to make sure that their student is in school, on-time, everyday.

Absences
The Board requires that school-aged children enrolled in the District attend school in accordance with all applicable state laws and Board policies. The educational program offered by the District is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation in order for students to achieve academic standards and consistent educational progress. Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in the District during the days and hours that school is in session, except that the Principal may excuse a student for temporary absences when receiving satisfactory evidence of conditions or reasons that may reasonably cause the student's absence. 

The Board considers the following to be excused absences: 

1. Illness 
2. Recovery from an accident 
3. Required court attendance 
4. Medical and dental appointments 
5. Death in the immediate family 
6. Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday 
7. Such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Principal or permitted by law

Any absence that has not been excused for any of these reasons will be considered an unexcused absence. In the event of an illness, parents must call the school and inform the District of the student's illness and absence. For other absences, parents must provide written notice or a written excuse that states one of these reasons for non-attendance. The Principal may require parents to provide additional documentation in support of their written notice, including but not limited to doctor's notes, court documents, obituaries, or other documents supporting the claimed reason for non-attendance. If parents wish for their child to be absent for a reason not listed above, the parent must provide a written explanation of the reason for such absence, including why the student will be absent and for how long the student will be absent. The Principal will make a determination as to whether the stated reason for the student's absence constitutes good cause and will notify the parents via telephone and writing of his/her decision. If the Principal determines that good cause does not exist, the parents may request a conference with the Principal to again explain the reasons for non-attendance. The Principal may then reconsider his initial determination. However, at this juncture, the Principal's decision shall be final. 

Family Vacations/Educational Opportunities 
Generally, absences other than for illness during the school year are discouraged. The school principal or his/her designee may, however, grant special approval of absence for family vacations, provided written approval is given in advance. Parents are asked to write a note to their child's teacher at least two weeks before the trip. This advance planning will allow the teacher enough time to work with parents and the student regarding homework completion.

Truancy 
Truancy is defined as any unexcused absence from class or school. Any absence that has not been excused for any of the reasons listed above will be considered an unexcused absence. 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. The Principal or Designee is hereby designated as the District employee responsible for overseeing truancy issues. 

Intervention Process to Address Truancy 
The Principal shall ensure that the administrative guidelines on attendance properly address the matter of truancy by including a process that identifies students who are habitually truant, as defined above. When the Principal identifies a student who is habitually truant or who is in danger of becoming habitually truant, he/she shall commence an intervention with the student, the student's parents, and other staff members as may be deemed necessary. The intervention shall include processes including, but not limited to: 

1. Investigates the cause(s) of the student's truant behavior; 
2. Considers, when appropriate, modification of his/her educational program to meet particular needs that may be causing the truancy; 
3. Involves the parents in the development of a plan designed to reduce the truancy; 
4. Seeks alternative disciplinary measures, but still retains the right to impose discipline in accordance with the District's policies and administrative guidelines on student discipline; and 
5. Determination as to whether school record keeping practices and parental notification of the student's absences have an effect on the child's attendance.

Parental Involvement in Truancy Intervention 
When a student reaches habitual truancy status or is in danger of reaching habitual truancy status, the Principal will send the student's parent a letter which includes: 

1. A statement that the student has become or is in danger of becoming habitually truant; 
2. A statement of the parent's responsibility to ensure that the student attends school; and 
3. A request for a meeting between the parents and the Principal to discuss the student's truancy and to develop a plan for reducing the student's truancy. 

Developing and Coordinating Strategies for Truancy Reduction 
The Board encourages the administration to seek truancy-prevention and truancy-reduction strategies along the recommendations listed below. However, these guidelines shall be advisory only. The Superintendent is authorized to develop and utilize other means, guidelines and programs aimed at preventing and reducing truancy. 

1. Coordinate truancy-prevention strategies based on the early identification of truancy, such as prompt notification of absences to parents. 

2. Assist school staff to develop site attendance plans by providing development strategies, resources, and referral procedures. 

3. Encourage and coordinate the adoption of attendance-incentive programs at school sites and in individual classrooms that reward and celebrate good attendance and significant improvements in attendance. 

As a support to parents, families and students, Franklin's Family School Attendance Liaison will be checking in by phone, letters and with home visits when truancy interferes with a student's education.