School Attendance 

SCHOOL  ATTENDANCE

Attendance

RSA 193:1 Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil, the state law concerning attendance, states, “A parent of any child at least 6 years of age and under 18 years of age shall cause such child to attend the public school to which the child is assigned…or an approved New Hampshire private school…full time when such school is in session unless…the child is receiving home education pursuant to RSA 193-A.”

Students are expected to be in school every day. Regular and prompt attendance is important to a child’s success in school.  Frequent absence, tardiness and/or early dismissal disrupt the sequential flow of the learning process and may interfere with a positive school experience.   Parents/guardians are required to contact the school in the event of an absence and provide a reason for the absence.  SAU #48 is committed to the standards and expectations of state and federal statutes as they relate to daily attendance.

Tardy and Absence Procedure

Tardy

Tardiness is defined as a student arriving at school late.

• Students arriving after 8:25 am and before 11:00 am will be considered tardy. 

• Students will report to the office and receive a pass to enter class.

Absence

If your child will be arriving at school after 11:00 am, or absent for a full school day:

• Call the school between 7:30 am and 9:00 am to inform us of the absence 

  • A reason for the absence must be given 

Excused absences are one of the following:

• Illness

• Recovery from an accident

• Medical or dental appointments

• Death in the immediate family

• Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday 

• Such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Principal or permitted by law

Absences that are not excused as noted above will be considered an unexcused absence.

• The principal may require additional documentation to support the absence reason, including but not limited to doctor’s notes, court documents, obituaries, or other documents supporting the claimed reason for the absence. 

If we have not been notified of an expected tardy or absence occurrence, and we cannot reach you at your emergency contact information, we may notify the Wentworth Police Department in order to ensure your child’s safety and whereabouts.

Participation in school activities

Students must attend school for a full day before, and the day of the school event in order to attend the event. Students dismissed from school due to illness may not return to any events for that day. Students on suspension may not attend or participate in school-sponsored activities during their period of suspension.

Family Vacations  / Educational Opportunities

While absences other than for illness during the school year are discouraged, the principal or his/her designee may grant special approval of absence for family vacations, provided written notice is given at least two weeks in advance. This advance notice ensures that teachers have time to work with parents and the student regarding homework completion.

Frequent Absenteeism

• Absent 7 days (unexcused): The parent will be provided with written notice indicating the number of absences occurrences.

• Absent 10 days (unexcused): The administration will schedule a meeting with the parent(s) to discuss the situation, and devise a plan for improvement.

• Absent 15 days (unexcused): At the discretion of the administration, the Wentworth Police or state officials may be contacted to perform a wellness check, or take other appropriate action(s). 

• Absent 20 days, or more: May require Summer School attendance, see Summer School details.  This applies to excused and or unexcused absence situations.

Make-Up Work

• Students who are absent will be required to make up work missed in each class.  

• Work may be submitted for credit due to Out of School Suspension, however make-up work may be submitted for correction only,  and will not be eligible for credit.  

• It is the student’s responsibility to punctually obtain and complete missed work upon their return.  

• Students should also note that some class activities (i.e., guest speakers, oral presentations, etc.) may not be duplicated or made-up,” thus affecting the student’s grade.

• Students returning from an absence will be given one day to make up the work missed for each day of absence.  This does not include the student’s first day back.  

• Previously assigned make-up work must be completed before additional make-up work will be issued.  

• 10% of the homework value may be deducted from points possible.