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.

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.

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

The following procedures have been established for students attending Prairie Home R-V School:

• If a student is absent from school, the parent/guardian should notify the school before 9:00 a.m.
•  Parents/guardians will be notified if the child is absent when attendance is taken if the school has not had prior notification of the student’s absence.
• Students are allowed ten (10) absences per semester per class.
• High school students do not receive semester credit for classes in which they surpass ten (10) absences.
• Students will be required to make up seat time before/after school for absences beyond the ten (10) absent limit.  Parents may appeal to the Board of Education for exemption from this rule.  
• In cases of extenuating circumstances, the principal may allow additional absences after considering the following:
• Chronic illness or injury that would be covered by a physician’s statement.
• Severe family emergency.
• Student’s current grades.

• Parents/guardians will be notified at the 5th, 8th, and 10th absence by letter or phone contact.

• Any appeal to the Board of Education must be made in writing and delivered to the principal before the next regularly scheduled school board meeting (parents/guardians should attend the board meeting to make the appeal).

• Seniors who need to request an exception must do so prior to commencement.

• Students suspended from school may forfeit their right for an exception.

• Upon the 5th absence, the Division of Family Services and/or the County Juvenile Office may be notified.

• Juniors are allowed one (1) day and seniors two (2) days for college/recruitment activities with prior approval of the principal.  These days should be scheduled prior to May 1st and proof of attendance must be presented to the office.