Ohio recently updated their attendance laws to focus on supporting families and intervening early when attendance concerns arise.

What you should know:

ALL missed hours count towards Chronic absenteeism: Under the new regulations every minute a student misses school, regardless of whether the missed time is excused or unexcused contributes to their total chronic absenteeism total.

A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the total required school hours (100 hours) over the course of the school year. This equals 2-3 days missed, per month.

Unexcused hours count toward Habitual Truancy: Ohio House Bill 96, defines habitual truancy accumulating solely unexcused hours and totals remain the same:

30 consecutive hours, without a valid excuse (see student handbook)

42 hours within one month, without a valid excuse (see student handbook)

72 hours within one school year, without a valid excuse (see student handbook)

What to expect:

Early Communication: Schools are now required to notify families when a student reaches 5% of missed school hours (roughly 50 hours) for ANY reason. The goal is to support families and address any potential barriers including transportation or medical concerns.

While excuses still count towards Chronic Absenteeism, proper documentation protects your child from reaching a habitual truancy threshold.

Attendance is tracked in hours, arriving late or leaving early accumulated to missed hours.

Hardin Northern Music Boosters Spirit wear 2026 is now available. The deadline to order is Sunday, August 30, 2026. Check out the link below. Go Bears!
https://hardinnorthernmusicboosters2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Hardin Northern Music Department
Fall Mum Fundraiser

Good luck, Bears!⛳

Good luck, Bears!🏐

Good luck, Bears!🏐

Our third graders had a sweet time practicing the scientific process with four different types of cookies! Students made predictions about whether each cookie would sink or float in milk, tested their predictions, and recorded their observations. They then compared their results and discussed what they learned. It was a fun, hands-on way to practice being scientists!🍪

Congratulations to the 2026 Homecoming Court! Hardin Northern's Homecoming is on September 18th. The ceremony with start at 6:30 p.m.

Good luck, Bears!🏈

☀️ Good morning, Polar Bears! ☀️

Our high school football team kicked off the day by welcoming our students with the Fri-Yays! What a fun way to start a Friday!🙌

Let’s keep the Polar Bear spirit going all day long!

🏈Come out and support our Polar Bears tonight as they take on Toledo Christian at 7:00 p.m.
Bring your Polar Bear pride, bring your friends, and LET’S MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

GO BEARS!

HN is in need of a ticket taker for tonight's JH volleyball game. You would start at 445p and the pay is $25. If interested email brady.mast@hardinnorthern.org

Way to go, Bears!🏐

Way to go, Bears!🏐

Good luck, Bears!🏐

Good luck, Bears!🏈

Yesterday, Hardin Northern held its first History Brigade meeting of the school year! We’re excited to have this group back together and ready for another year of learning, exploring, and bringing history to life.

The History Brigade meets every Wednesday during lunch, giving students the opportunity to connect, learn something new, and dive deeper into the stories of the past.

🎺🎶 Ready to Make Some Music! 🎶🎺

Last night, our band department held instrument fitting for our newest fifth-grade band members! With the help of the wonderful team from the Instrument Care Center, our students found the instruments that are the perfect fit for them and are officially ready to get started! 🎵

We are so excited to see these young musicians begin their band journey and can’t wait to hear the music they’ll make!

Welcome to the band family, fifth graders! Let’s make some music! 🎶

Good luck, Bears!⛳

Good luck, Bears!⛳

Good luck, Bears!🏐