5116 - (JLP) Parental Notification of and Involvement in Student Welfare

 

 

 

The Milford School Board believes that families are vital stakeholders that support students in their educational journey. Parents/guardians play an important role as partners with school personnel to help students successfully navigate the challenges of moving through school and life. Through this partnership, the Board believes students are supported to overcome challenges associated with youth and adolescence, including: academics, social interactions, athletics, and emotional and behavioral changes.

In the spirit of partnership with parents/guardians, and pursuant to New Hampshire RSA 186:11, IX-e, the District will not adopt policies, procedures, or student support forms that prohibit District personnel from answering questions from a parent/guardian about that parent's/guardian's student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, sexuality, or a change in related services or monitoring. Likewise, no policy, procedure, or student support form will have the effect of encouraging a student to withhold from a parent/guardian such information.

District personnel will not discourage or prohibit parental/guardian notification of, and involvement in, critical decisions affecting that parent's/guardian's student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.

The law permits the District personnel to withhold any of the above information from a parent if a reasonably prudent person would believe that such disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect as those terms are defined in RSA 169-C:3. This provision is in place to protect the safety and well-being of students, and the decision to withhold information is based on a careful assessment of the potential risks, and consultation with relevant professionals (e.g., counselors, child protection or legal advisors).

To the extent that any other school board/district/school/class policy, procedure, rule or regulation, conflicts with the above, this policy shall supersede - but not otherwise impact - such policy, procedure, rule or regulation.

 

 

NH Statutes		Description
RSA 169-C:3 RSA 186:11, IX-e		Definitions Notice to Parents/Guardian Required