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 unless their education is provided by other acceptable means or otherwise excusable under the law.

Verified 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 unverified if a note or telephone call is not received.

Verified absences include, but are not limited to:

1. Illness of the student or doctor/dentist appointment (Doctor's statement may be required to support such absences).
2. Days of religious observance.
3. Funerals/Bereavement.
4. Family emergencies. 
5. Circumstances approved by the Principal.

Additional Verified Absences for High School:

1. Driver’s license exam (2 half days maximum).
2. College Visits (see student handbook).
3. Pre-approved military obligations.

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. Students will be allowed one day for each day absent to make up their work, and full credit can be earned for that work.
3. All classroom work (to include tests) shall be completed as indicated by the individual classroom teacher.

Unverified 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.  An unverified absence will be considered anything that cannot be verified by proper documentation or does not fall under the verified absences.  Parent phone calls after the 5^th absence from school are not considered proper documentation to verify an absence.

Excessive Absences

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.

When unusual or extreme circumstances occur, exceptions to this stated policy will be made only by administrative discretion on an individual basis. Any absence not accounted for will be considered an unverified absence.

Any absence from class as a result of a school-sanctioned activity is not recorded as an absence for purposes of this policy. Example: field trip, athletic event, student activity, etc.

Days of student suspension are not counted as days absent for purposes of this policy.

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

Appeal

High School students who feel there is an extenuating circumstance for an absence can appeal to the administration. 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