Student Absences and Excuses

The following rules, regulations and procedures shall apply to student attendance in the Sikeston R-6 School District.

1. Students who find it necessary to be excused on occasions before the close of a session shall present a written request from parents or guardians.
2. Anytime a student is absent it is necessary for the parent/guardian to contact the school and provide a reason for the absence.  This contact provides the basis for the principal's decision as to whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
3. A doctor's statement may be required to support excused absences claimed for reasons of illness.
4. Attendance is maintained on an hourly basis; consequently, it is mandatory that students check in and out through the principal's office once the official school day begins.

The district will contact the CD or the local prosecutor in cases where the district has a reasonable suspicion that a student's lack of attendance constitutes educational neglect on the part of the parents or that parents are in violation of the compulsory attendance law.  No such action will be taken unless other strategies and interventions have been implemented and proven ineffective.

Excused Absences

Excused absences will be granted in cases of illness; illness in the immediate family; death/tragedy in immediate family; physician appointments (ex. orthodontist); visits with a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member of the military who has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or is immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, with permission of the superintendent or designee; absence that has an educational or family value when approved in advance by the building principal.

A total of ten or more absences will require verification of absences.  If satisfactory verification cannot be made, absences may be treated as unexcused.

Students/Parents will be sent standard form attendance letters on the fifth, seventh, and ninth excused absences.

Students who receive excused absences must make arrangements for make-up work within two days after returning to school and have a maximum of five days to complete the make-up work.  Students who are absent when a test is scheduled and who have received all of the pertinent information for the test must take the test the first day back.

Make-up work is defined as classroom work and assignment of homework and examinations (tests) missed when a student is absent from school.

Unexcused Absences

Suspension from school by the principal, assistant principal for a period of time because of a rule infraction, etc., are considered unexcused absences.  (The Alternative Education Program is not a suspension so far as make-up work is concerned.)

Students with unexcused absences will not be permitted to make up work and test(s) missed.

Perfect attendance in class and in school should be the ultimate goal of all students, their parent/guardian and the school.  Students who achieve this goal will be eligible for quarterly, semester and annual incentives.  The incentives will be developed by a committee appointed by the administration.