The Board of Education has established the following rules and regulations regarding attendance, absences and excuses 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.

Excusable Absences

In case of absence, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school. 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. The absence will be recorded as unexcused if a note or telephone call is not received.

Excusable absences include, but are not limited to:

1. Illness of the student (Doctor's statement may be required to support such absences).
2. Days of religious observance.
3. Death in the family (Each District shall define degree of relatedness required to excuse absence).
4. Family emergencies which necessitate absence from school. The school must be notified in advance when such absences are foreseen. (Each District shall define degree of emergency required to excuse absence).

The following procedures should be followed by students who are 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.

Unexcused Absences

Attendance patterns for all students will be monitored.  Absences which are not clearly excusable will be investigated by the principal and/or staff, and appropriate action will be taken:

(Disciplinary Option)

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

Please see student handbooks for building procedures.