Regular student attendance is vital to student success.  To support regular attendance, the Board of Education has established the following rules and regulations regarding attendance and absences for students. These rules and regulations are intended to comply with Missouri Compulsory Attendance Law (167.031 RSMo.) which establishes compulsory attendance for all children between the ages of seven and sixteen unless their education is provided by other acceptable means or otherwise excusable under the law.

The Board recognizes that situations may arise which make student absences unavoidable.  In such situations, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. If the school is not notified on the day of absence, a note from the parent/guardian will be required on the first day of the student's return to school.  Anticipated absences may include:

1. Illness of the student (Doctor's statement may be required to support such absences).
2. Days of religious observance.
3. Death in the immediate family.
4. Family emergencies which necessitate absence from school.

The school must be notified in advance when such absences are foreseen.

Student absent more than four (4) days during a semester may be excluded from extracurricular activities that occur during the school day.

Students who must be absent more than four (4) days in a semester due to catastrophic circumstances or a serious health condition may seek an appeal for reconsideration of the exclusion from extracurricular activities to the District’s attendance committee.

The following procedures should be followed by students who are or will be absent so as to prevent academic difficulties:

1. The student shall obtain assignments from appropriate staff members. Assignments shall be obtained in advance if the absence is foreseen.
2. All assigned work shall be submitted upon returning to school.
3. All classroom work (to include tests) shall be completed as indicated by the individual classroom teacher.

Attendance patterns for all students will be monitored. Absences other than those listed above will be investigated by the principal and/or staff, and appropriate action will be taken.

The District has entered into an agreement with the 33^rd Circuit Juvenile Office and the Scott/Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in the implementation of a truancy program.  The purpose of the truancy program is to reduce unnecessary absences through a multi-level approach.  Students under the age of 17 and/or their parents/custodians will be referred to the truancy program when excessively absent from school.  

Students are expected to make up work as a result of class periods missed. It shall be the students’ responsibility to meet with the teachers and receive the necessary instructions and assignments.

1. After a student has been absent for three (3) consecutive days, it is the building principal's responsibility to contact the parent/guardian by telephone or letter in order to inquire about the reason for the student's absence.
2. If the principal is unable to contact the parent/guardian within three (3) days or the parent/guardian does not give a reasonable explanation for the absence within three (3) days, the building principal shall send a registered letter to the parent/guardian requesting a conference within a week.
3. If the parent/guardian does not contact the principal within a week of receipt of the registered letter, the building principal will make a referral to the proper legal authorities.
4. The building principal shall also notify the office of the Superintendent in writing of the excessive absence and continue to update the Superintendent on the situation.

Excessive Absences

Elementary Students and Middle School Students

Excessive absences have a detrimental effect upon academic progress and may be one factor considered in promotion/retention decisions.  A student shall be allowed twenty (20) days per school year.

High School Students

Regular attendance and participation in classroom instructional activities are essential to achieving the educational objectives for each class. When students are absent from class, they miss the material covered; they miss the opportunity to interact with the teacher as well as other students; and they miss the opportunity to pursue learning opportunities only available in the classroom interaction.

To the extent students may be allowed the opportunity to make up missed work resulting from absences, students may be required to attend after school classes or Saturday classes to complete classroom work covered in their absences.

Any exceptions to the items cited above shall be approved by the Board of Education.

Each principal may have written policies which further detail procedures for making up work, reporting absence, etc.

Appeal

High school students who are denied credit under this Regulation are entitled to utilize the due process procedures available for student suspensions. These provisions are contained in Regulation 2662 - Suspension.