Regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability.

Absences 

Excused Absences: To be considered an excused absence, the student’s parent/legal guardian may be asked to verify, in writing, the reason for the student’s absence from school. A note from a physician or a licensed mental health professional stating that the student cannot attend school is a valid excuse. Excused absences include, but are not limited to:

• Illness.
• Serious illness in the student’s immediate family.
• A death or funeral in the student’s immediate family or of a close friend or relative.
• Medical, dental or orthodontic treatment, or counseling appointment.
• Court appearances occasioned by family or personal action.
• Religious instruction not to exceed three hours in any week.
• Physical emergency conditions such as fire, flood, storm, etc.
• Official school field trip or other school-sponsored outing.
• Removal of a student pursuant to a suspension. Suspensions are to be handled as excused absences and students will be permitted to complete make-up work.
• Family emergencies.
• Active duty in any military branch of the United States.
• Prearranged family vacations.
• A student’s condition that required ongoing treatment for any health related issue (physical or mental).

Unexcused Absence: Absences lacking a “valid” reason and/or verification from a parent/legal. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to::

• Any absence by a student, which was not approved by the parent/legal guardian and/or the school district.
• Any absence in which the student failed to comply with any reporting requirements of the school district’s attendance procedures. 
• Work at home.
• Work at a business, except under a school-sponsored work release program.
• Any other absence not included under the attendance procedures set out in this policy.

Tardiness: Students are expected to be in their assigned area at designated times.  Failure to do so constitutes tardiness.

Students who participate in after school sports or activities must attend 50% of the school day to compete, practice, rehearse or use the weight room.

For specific information regarding your child’s attendance, please contact their school directly.

Policy 503 Student Attendance

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES - ABSENT The progressive discipline procedures below are designed to improve and prevent a recurrence of the behavior. Administrators reserve the right to combine or skip steps depending on the facts of each situation.
Grades K-5	Parent/legal guardian contact; Other interventions as appropriate
Grades 6-12	Parent/legal guardian contact; Detention; Referral to Washington County attorney; Other interventions as appropriate For more information regarding Washington County’s Truancy Policy, visit Truancy | Washington County
Activities and Athletics	Eligibility to participate in school sponsored activities may be jeopardized.  For more information see an administrator or activities/athletic directors or visit the MSHSL Eligibility Brochure

 

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES - TARDY The progressive discipline procedures below are designed to improve and prevent a recurrence of the behavior. Administrators reserve the right to combine or skip steps depending on the facts of each situation.
Grades K-5	Parent/legal guardian Contact
Grades 6-12	Teacher and/or parent/legal guardian  contact; Detention, make-up time; admin referral; In school suspension