Southaven High

Students are expected to attend classes regularly, to be on time in order to benefit maximally from the instructional program, and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility.  Students must be in regular attendance if they are to derive benefits from educationally sound activities.

Continuity in the learning process is seriously disrupted by  excessive absences.  In most situations the work missed cannot be made up adquately.  Students who attend school regularly generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more, and are more employable after leaving school.  Therefore, in order to earn credits, a student must satisfy two basic requirements.  The requirements are to achieve at an acceptable level and to attend an acceptable amount of time during the school year. 

In order to assure acceptable school attendance, the DeSoto County Board of Education adopts the following policy:

1.  A good attendance record is imperative for the highest levels
     of  achievement.  Much knowledge can be attained only from a
     student's presence in class.  Make-up work can not always substitute
     for  classroom activities.  Therefore, if a student accumulates
     excessive  absences, passing the course may be at  the discretion of
     the teacher and the principal.

2.  Each time a student is absent, he/she must bring a note from the parent/
     guardian stating the reason for the absence within three (3) days of
     returning to school.  Students who miss more than two (2)
     consecutive days for illness or accident must provide a doctor's note
     for the days to be excused.  The doctor's note must be submitted to
     the principal within three (3) school days following the student's return
     to school, unless granted an exception by the principal for
     extenuating circumstances.

    Students who have accumulated more than ten (10) absences
    must provide a doctor's note for the day to be excused.

3.  Reasonable absences due to a death in the immediate family will be
     excused, but must be cleared and approved by the principal. 

4.  Absences due to trips that are not school sponsored must be cleared and
     approved by the principal before the trip.  Students must consult
     with the teacher before leaving to make arrangements for make-up
     work.   No trips will be approved prior to exams.

5.  A student is considered to be tardy when he/she is not in  class at the
     scheduled time.  Three (3) incidents of tardy will be considered
     one absence.

6.  Parents should be notified each day by an automated phone system if a
     student is absent from class.

7.  A student should consult the teacher(s) on the day he/she returns
     to class following an absence to make arrangements to make up any
     work missed.  The number of days allowed to complete any
     required  make-up work is commensurate with the number of days
     missed.

8.  At the end of a semester, a student may be excused from the final
     exam in  a course if he/she has an 85 or above average and has
     not  missed more than two (2) days prior to the days desiginated for
     the exam.

9.  Absences due to suspensions and DCAC assignments are counted
     against the student towards the exemption policy.

10. The enforcement of this policy is the responsibility of the building principal.