STUDENTS                                                                                                        Regulation 2310

Attendance

Student Attendance

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 seventeen (17) years of age unless their education is provided by other acceptable means or otherwise excusable under the law.

Absences

In case of absence, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school. An absence will be recorded as either a verified absence and marked with a “V” (if a parent is contacted or a parent contacts the school) or a non-verified absence and marked with an “A” (parent not able to be reached or doesn’t contact the school).  If the parent/guardian does not contact the school, the school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian to verify 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. The absence will be recorded as a non-verified absence and marked with an “A” if a note or telephone call is not received.

Verified absences can 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. Up to three (3) days will be verified. 
4. Family emergencies which necessitate absence from school. The school must be notified in advance when such absences are foreseen.

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. Pre-arranged absent sheet can be obtained from the office.
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.
4. Guidelines for make-up work are outlined in student handbooks that are distributed to the students at each building.

A student who complies with a subpoena to testify in a criminal proceeding, attends a criminal proceeding, or who participates in the preparation for a criminal proceeding will not be disciplined for violation of the District’s attendance policy. Similarly, such student’s parents/guardians will not be in violation of the state’s truancy schedule §167.061.

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

Students who become ill at school must be checked out at the nurse’s office.

Absence Reporting

 If the parent has not contacted the school, the principal or his/her designee will attempt to contact the parent/guardian of any student who is not in attendance each day. 

Parents will be notified of number of days missed as outlined in each student handbook.

1. Elementary – notified by letter when student has been absent five (5) days and eight (8) days.  On the twelfth (12) day, a third letter will be sent reminding parents that a doctor’s note will be needed for any further absences.  For absences beyond the fourteenth (14) day, the Department of Social Services will be notified, and a student may be required to attend summer school or may be retained.
2. Middle School – notified by letter when student has been absent three (3), six (6), and ten (10) days.  For absences beyond the fourteenth (14) day, the Department of Social Services or the Juvenile Office will be notified, and a student may be required to attend summer school or may be retained unless the student has made up seat time through Attendance Recovery.
3. High School - notified by letter when student has been absent five (5), eight (8), and ten (10) days.  Any student in excess of ten (10) daylong absences will be denied credit for the semester.  Any student in excess of ten (10) course absences will be denied credit in that course for the semester.           
4. Consequences for missing in excess of a predetermined number of days is further outlined in each student handbook.
5. 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

Excessive absences have a detrimental effect upon academic progress.

1. Elementary – excessive absenteeism may be referred to the Department of Social Services. Excessive absences may also be a factor when considering promotion/retention.  Excessive absenteeism may also be a factor when considering mandatory summer school.
2. Middle School – excessive absenteeism may be referred to the Department of Social Services or to the Juvenile Office. Excessive absences may also be a factor when considering promotion/retention.  Excessive absenteeism may also be a factor when considering mandatory summer school.
3. High School – students not in compliance with attendance guidelines including attendance recovery will receive no credit, and based on their age and absence type (i.e. daily or period absences) may be dropped from school or referred to the Crawford County Juvenile Office.

Disciplinary Option

A student is expected to make up work as a result of class periods missed. It shall be the student's responsibility to meet with the teacher and receive the necessary instructions and assignments.

Any exceptions to the items cited above shall be approved by the building principal.

Each building principal may have written policies in the student handbook which further details the procedures for making up work, reporting absence, etc.

Appeal

Students who exceed the predetermined number of absences under this Regulation are entitled to utilize the due process procedures available for student suspensions.  These provisions are contained in Regulation 2662 – Suspension.

Homebound Services

Homebound services may be provided as outlined in Policy 6275 and Regulation 6275.  Exceptions may be allowed to satisfy Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or 504 Plans.  It is the parent’s responsibility to request homebound instruction and may be suggested by the building administrator.

Attendance Incentive

Each building has an attendance incentive program that encourages students to be attendance whenever possible.  Building incentive programs are outlined in each building’s student handbook.

(Detailed attendance procedures are available in each building’s student handbook.)