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Attendance Policy

MPS Attendance Policy

In order to receive credit for a course, a student cannot be absent more than ten (10) days each semester. Oklahoma State law requires school officials to keep attendance records and report excessive absences to the District Attorney’s office. Ten (10) unexcused absences within a semester constitutes excessive and thereby may be reported to the District Attorney’s office. Students with a passing grade, who exceed ten (10) absences in a semester will receive a “no credit” (NC) on his/her transcript for the semester. Students without a passing grade will receive an F. Continued absences will fall under the district’s discipline policy. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances or school-related activities may be requested through the building principal. Reasonable effort will be made to notify the parent before a “no credit” is given due to excessive absenteeism. Two unexcused tardies constitute an absence for grading purposes. (Referenced in paragraph 2 of Board Policy 7045)

ATTENDANCE RELATED INFORMATION Students must be IN the classroom when the tardy bell has stopped ringing or he/she will be counted tardy. All tardies are counted unless the student has a pass from a staff member. Records of tardies will be kept by each teacher. Two (2) tardies constitute an absence and will be counted as such in conjunction with the attendance policy. If a student misses more than 5 minutes of a class, he/she will be marked in the grade book as absent from the class, and it will count toward the ten (10) days allowed per semester. Upon checking in, if a student is late for class by more than 5 minutes, the student is still required to report to their class. The principal, counselor, or teacher must issue a statement of explanation in order for the tardy to be excused. Two early releases will be treated as an absence. Absences must be confirmed by a parent contacting the appropriate attendance office on the day of the absence. Notes will not be accepted. Unconfirmed absences will be considered a truancy and will be handled with discipline by the grade principal.

EXEMPT ABSENCES - The following exceptions will not count against the student with respect to the attendance policy.

Exempt Absences Include:

  • Any event that is approved as a school activity
  • Any medical treatment that is substantiated by a physician’s written statement. THE PHYSICIAN’S STATEMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE STUDENT’S RETURN AND IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY A SCHOOL OFFICAL.
  • Any day a student serves as a page for the State or National Legislature (not to exceed five days)
  • A court subpoena
  • Religious holidays or activities (appropriate documentation required)
  • Bereavement (appropriate documentation required)
  • Forty-eight (48) hours to treat and clear head lice with appropriate medical documentation upon return to school

Family vacations are not exempted and such absences will count toward the maximum absences allowed per semester.

THE PRINCIPAL WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION CONCERNING UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.