Attendance

Attendance Hotline 636-891-6865 Attendance Secretary 636-891-6852 School Office 636-891-6850

Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school office of their child’s absence. If no call is made, the absence is unexcused. For your convenience, absences may be phoned in before the start of the school day by calling 636-891-6865 (attendance hotline) or 636-891-6852 (attendance office). You may also email the attendance secretary, Caitlin Edwards, to report an absence. When leaving a message or sending an email, please include the following:

• Student’s name
• Reason for absence (including symptoms, if applicable)
• Your name and relationship to the student

Absences On the Day of An Activity

Students who are absent from school on the day of any school sponsored activity are not permitted to participate in that activity. The principal or assistant principal may, in rare circumstances, grant approval for participation if contacted directly by the parents and only if the absence has been properly reported to the attendance office.

Attendance Notification Procedures and Actions

Parents will be notified by an automated call when their child is absent from school. This automated call alerts parents and requests they call to confirm and/or excuse the absence. If chronic absenteeism becomes a concern, then either a school counselor or social worker may reach out to determine what additional support can be provided.

Pursuant to Board Policy 2340, if a staff member has reasonable cause to suspect that a student is absent due to educational neglect, they will be required to notify the Missouri Department of Social Services–Children's Division as outlined in Board Policy 2710.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

Causes of excused absences include:

• Student illness
• Doctor or dental appointments
• Certain days for religious observances
• A death in the family
• Court appearances
• Other circumstances as determined by guardians and the Student Services Team

Examples of reasons that do not qualify as excused absences include:

• Overslept
• Missed the bus
• Car trouble
• Skipping class
• Bus suspension
• Other circumstances as determined by the Student Services Team

Absences imposed due to an out of school suspension shall not count as an excused or unexcused absence.

Excessive Absences (Truancy/Educational Neglect)

The Rockwood Board of Education believes regular attendance is important to academic success. Therefore, the Board directs that problems with attendance on the part of any student be investigated and acted upon promptly. Attendance concerns at Rockwood South will be monitored by our school social worker, school counselors, and administrators. Should a student's attendance be deemed a cause for them not performing to their full potential, a
variety of steps may be taken to remedy the situation. This could include contacting the parents to create a plan, speaking with the student to create an attendance plan, and working with the educational team to incentivize attendance at school. Should initial steps be unsuccessful, parents may be sent an official letter outlining the school's concern and insisting on improved attendance. Continued noncompliance with this requirement may result in referral to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children's Division for investigation of the truancy and possible educational neglect.

Extended Absences

The Rockwood School District recognizes that regular and punctual attendance is an important factor in a student's education. To that end, it is recommended that students not miss school for reasons such as a family vacation or sports tournament. In the event that a student does leave town for up to five days, they may be excused absences provided that:

1. The absence was discussed with the student's teachers and grade level administrator prior to the date
2. The student procures assignments in advance of the absence, if available from teachers
3. All assigned work is turned in upon returning to school or at the time the teachers request it
4. All tests, quizzes, etc. are made up at the discretion of the teacher
5. Absences have not reached 10 total days for the school year

Homework Request During an Absence

Students who are absent are expected to make up missed work. They should utilize Infinite Campus and Canvas to find out what work needs to be made up and to access online materials when possible. Students absent for three or more days should have a parent notify the attendance office so teachers can make sure appropriate makeup work and instructional material is sent home. It is the student's and guardian's responsibility, upon returning to school, to
contact their teachers and establish mutually agreeable times for daily work to be turned in and any missed quizzes or tests to be completed.

Teachers are automatically notified if a student has been suspended out of school and work is requested. Every attempt will be made to get work to the student via mail, fellow student, or parent pick up.

Leaving Campus

During the school day, students must secure permission from the office before missing a class or leaving the campus. Parents/guardians must contact the attendance office to request a pass be issued to their child in order to leave campus. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action/referral to legal authorities. Parents/guardians will be notified and a parental conference may be required prior to the student returning to school. Students who have been
absent because of injuries or communicable diseases must communicate with the nurse before returning to classes. Students participating in off-campus, school sponsored events are not considered absent.