School Attendance

Students are expected to arrive at school on time and remain in school until the end of the day.

Calling in a student absence

The school has a 24-hour automated answering system that has been designed so that parents can call in an absence at their convenience. All absences must be reported before 9:30 a.m. You must state the reason for the absence. The number to call for student absences is 673-1811, extension 1. Parents may
also use this line to report their students as tardy. Parents of MEEE Pre-school students should follow these guidelines to report their students' absence as well.

If a student is absent and the school has not heard from the parent, the school will make every reasonable effort to call the parent at home or work. A form is sent home on the first day of school requesting information on where parents can be reached during the school day. Parents must return this form to the school as soon as possible.

On occasion, school is in session when the Massachusetts and New Hampshire holidays don’t align. The absenteeism on those days can be extremely high. We will attempt to contact all parents. However, the success will depend largely on the number of students absent. You can help reduce the number of calls to be made by remembering to call if your child will be absent on one of these days.

Student attendance guidelines

Tardy                           A student is tardy after 8:40 a.m.

Dismissal                     Departure after 1:00 p.m.

In accordance with School Board Policy #3515, half day absences shall be defined as a student missing more than two hours of school time but less than three and one half hours of school time.

Full day absences shall be defined as missing more than three and one half hours of school time.

School officials determine whether a student’s absences are excused or unexcused.

1. When a student has accumulated six half-days of unexcused absences, the Principal/designee shall contact the parent/guardian to discuss the reasons for non-attendance.

2. When a student has accumulated eight half-days of unexcused absences, the Principal/designee shall contact the parent/guardian and request a meeting to discuss the matter and to develop an  intervention plan to prevent further unexcused absences. The intervention plan may include an investigation into the causes of the truancy and strategies to prevent further truancy.
   
   The Principal/designee shall provide to the parent/guardian copies of RSA 193:1 and possible  consequences should the student reach ten unexcused half-days. The Principal/designee shall also provide notice to the truant officer of the possibility of habitual truancy and may include the officer at the meeting with the parent.

3. When a student has accumulated ten half-days, a truancy report shall be formally filed with the truant officer and the Principal/designee may report the situation to the New Hampshire Division of Child, Youth and Family Services (DCYF). Parents/guardians shall be notified by Certified mail.