Attendance Policies

The Lauderdale County School District supports the philosophy that the instructional program is the vital part of formal education. Experience has shown that a high quality of work is virtually impossible with irregular attendance. Thus, students are expected to attend school at all times when school is in session.

The Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law requires that children up to age 18 attend school. If a compulsory-school-age child has an absence that is more than thirty-seven percent (37%) of the instructional day, the student must be counted absent the entire day. If a compulsory-school-age child has not enrolled in a school within fifteen (15) calendar days after the first day of the school year which the child is eligible to attend or if the child has accumulated five (5) unexcused absences during the school year, the principal shall report, within two (2) school days or within five (5) calendar days, whichever is less, the absences to the school attendance officer. After a student has accumulated five (5) unexcused absences; each subsequent absence will be reported to the school attendance officer as an unexcused absence. If the absence is excused upon the student's return to school, the superintendent or his designee will notify the school attendance officer of the change. The superintendent or his designee also shall report any school suspensions or student expulsions to the school attendance officer when they occur.

An attendance report from the school shall be sent to the parent after a student has been absent five (5) days for any reason. A subsequent notice, requiring a conference between the parent and the principal, shall be sent after the student has been absent ten (10) days.An attendance report from the school shall be sent to the parent after a student has been absent five (5) days for any reason. A subsequent notice, requiring a conference between the parent and the principal, shall be sent after the student has been absent ten (10) days.

Excused Absences
An absence may be excused if the student presents a parent note or a medical or dental note upon return to school that contains the reason why the student was absent from school and if the reason meets the requirements set forth in the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law. Each of the following shall constitute a valid excuse for temporary nonattendance of a compulsory-school-age child, provided satisfactory evidence of the excuse is provided to the superintendent or his designee:

Attendance at an authorized school activity with prior approval of the principal.
Illness or injury.
Isolation ordered by the County Health Officer or the State Board of Health or appropriate school official.
Death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family. The immediate family shall include grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters, including stepbrothers and stepsisters.
Medical or dental appointment
Attendance at court if a party is involved in a case or under subpoena to be there.
Attendance at a religious event if required by a student's religion. (Must have prior approval of the principal.)
Any valid educational opportunity that may arise. The educational value must be demonstrated to the principal in advance of the absence.
Conditions that the superintendent or his designee determines are sufficient to warrant the student's nonattendance. Under no circumstances may this criterion be used to circumvent the intent and spirit of the compulsory attendance law. Students will be allowed to make up class work missed during excused absences.

Students will be allowed to make up class work missed during excused absences. This work must be made up in a manner satisfactory to the teacher. In the event of extended illness, make-up work should be completed before the end of the grading period, if possible. Students should use their own initiative to find out and make up work that they have missed as a result of their absences.

When it becomes apparent that a student will be absent for an extended period of time, the school will provide assistance to students in keeping up with school work, where practical and feasible. When a student has received medical attention, a medical excuse must be presented upon return to school.

Absences due to extended periods of illness and/or hospitalization of the student, verified by a doctor's statement, and absences approved by the principal which are due to extenuating circumstances will not be counted in determining excessive absences if the student is being served as home bound. In order to attain home bound status, the parent, counselor, and an administrator must determine and implement an educational program which the student can implement at home.

Unexcused Absences
The following circumstances are times when an absence shall be unexcused:

All absences in excess of five (5) days in grades K-4 and three (3) days in grades 5-12 during any one semester shall be unexcused unless (a) a doctor's note is presented, or (b) the principal excuses the absence for extenuating circumstances.
An absence is unexcused if a note by a parent, guardian, or doctor is not presented two (2) days after the student returns to school or the note does not identify a lawful reason for the absence.
When a student is suspended from school, the student can make up all daily work missed but will receive 70 percent of whatever grade is earned. The student can makeup the district core tests (chapter tests, end-of-unit tests, etc.), nine weeks tests, term tests on the block, semester and final examinations and will receive whatever grade he/she earns.