Attendance Policy

Attendance #5001:

All students enrolled at Exeter-Milligan Public School are to be in attendance each day that school is open and in session. The school district is responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing attendance rules and regulations. Parents are responsible for developing behaviors that do not condone excessive absenteeism but will instead strongly encourage regular, punctual student attendance. Students are responsible for attending school and arriving in a timely manner.

Note: For the purpose of this policy, excessive absenteeism is defined as more than ten (10)  absences per semester from one or more classes for any reason other than school-sponsored activities or those reasons listed below in letters a-e.

Attendance Philosophy:

Absences are very disruptive to the educational process, not only for the absent student who falls behind in assigned work, but also for other students whose progress may be slowed by the student who is far behind. It is disruptive for teachers whose effectiveness may be hampered when they are trying to assist students who are behind and who need special attention. Absences and late arrivals make up a part of every student’s record. Punctuality is a trait many employers investigate when considering an applicant for employment.  Attendance is noted on semester grade cards.  The Board of Education and the school administration believe that the responsibility for attendance falls mainly upon the student and his/her parents. However, if that responsibility is not assumed by the student and parents, the school will do everything possible to enforce the attendance laws of the State of Nebraska and enact the regulations of this policy. Parents are asked to cooperate with the school to reduce the number of absences to a minimum.

Note:  Although the attendance policy is limited to students in grades 6-12, those students in grades K-5 may be subjected to any or all sanctions or strategies outlined in the attendance policy, including a possible recommendation for retention for excessive absenteeism.

Attendance Policy:

If a student is deemed as being excessively absent, that student shall be ineligible for all activities (which includes but is not limited to practices and contests and other school activities). Students will have the opportunity to "make-up" absences, at the discretion of the administration. A student may regain their eligibility once they are no longer considered excessively absent, as determined by the administration.

A 6-12 student shall forfeit semester academic credit for the class or classes that he/she has exceeded a total of 10 absences per semester that are not considered "excused" if this time has not been made up outside of school hours (see a-d below for all excused absences).  

Expectations for Regular Attendance:

Students are expected to attend every class, every day. The only "excused" absences that will not count against a student's overall attendance shall be:

• a.) absences when a licensed health care provider has confirmed in writing no later than 48 hours after the medical visit that, in his/her professional medical opinion and within his/her scope of practice, the student is so physically or mentally ill that attendance is impracticable or impossible;

• b.) absences when the Nebraska State Patrol or other law enforcement confirms in writing that weather conditions have made the roads impassable so that the student's attendance impracticable or impossible;

• c.) student attendance at a school-sponsored activity;

• d.) absences required by law enforcement, child protective services or a court of competent jurisdiction, confirmed in writing to the school district.

All other absences, including absences for minor illnesses (with no doctor's note), family events, and routine medical appointments are simply "absences" and will count as days missed when figuring a student's overall attendance. 

As a general rule, students will be allowed 2 days to make up assignments for each day of absence before homework is considered to be late. When a student is absent from class, excused or unexcused, the student is responsible for knowing what was covered in class that day.

Upon returning to school from every absence or partial-day absence, students should supply the office with a note signed by his/her parent/guardian or the student's parent/guardian should call the school office to verify the student's absence. Doctor's notes should be turned in to the office within 48 hours of the medical visit in order to get credit as an excused absence. Students may be required to remain after school for 30 minutes to meet with teachers, work on missed assignments, or simply study. The location and supervision of the student will be determined by the building principal in consultation with the student's classroom teacher(s).

Students must not be absent from any course more than ten (10) days in any given semester in order to earn academic credit for that course for that semester. Students who miss more than ten (10) days in any given course AND HAVE a D OR BELOW are expected to make arrangements with the instructor of the course to make up time outside of the school day. Students should be working with the teacher to improve their grade while making up their time. Students who miss more than ten (10) days in any given course per semester but are NOT FAILING are expected to make arrangements with the administration to make up their time.

When students are absent from school, district staff will respond as follows: 

First Stage Response to Absences:

1. A member of district staff will contact the parent via telephone for every absence if the parent has not contacted the school in advance. 

     2. After six (6) absences (not listed as excused) during the semester, the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent/guardian and student either by phone call or written letter or email outlining the situation and the policy’s stated consequences for excessive absences. 

     3. After ten (10) absences (not listed as excused), the principal will request a meeting with the parent or guardian and student to discuss the current attendance concerns and to develop a plan moving forward. 

Second Stage Response to Absences: 

Students who accrue more than 20 absences in a school year shall be referred to the county attorney for action under NEB. REV. STAT. § 43-247(3)(a) and (b). 

Note: If more than 10% of students miss seven or more days of class in any quarter the superintendent must meet with the building principal to review strategies to improve the school building's climate. A consistent pattern of building-wide absenteeism may result in a formal remediation plan.

Excessive Absences Procedures:

If necessary and upon request by the student and/or parent or suggestion by the principal, the principal shall create an attendance contract with the student and the parent/guardian outlining the conditions which must be met in order for the student to earn credit for the current term. If the student and/or parent/guardian wish to keep the said student from losing academic credit due to excessive absenteeism, all stipulations of the contract written by the administration need to be successfully completed. The student, parent/guardian, and principal must sign the contract to be implemented. 

At the end of the semester, that student’s attendance record will be reviewed as to whether he/she has met the conditions of the contract.  If a student does not fully meet the conditions of the contract, academic credit will be withheld for the current semester regardless of the academic average. 

The student can choose to appeal the loss of credits to the Attendance Committee. The Attendance Committee is composed of school personnel and identified by the building principal before August 20th of each school year. The appeal, either in person or via a written request by the parent/guardian and the student, must be made within five (5) days of receiving notification of loss credits. An appeal to the Attendance Committee is an opportunity for parents and the student to provide the committee with an explanation of extenuating circumstances. The Attendance Committee will determine if the explanation warrants a scheduled hearing and the chairperson will notify the parents via written form accordingly. 

If an appeal hearing takes place, the student and his/her parents or guardians, the Attendance Committee members, and the principal must all be present. After the facts have been discussed and all parties have had an opportunity to present their sides the chairperson of the Attendance Committee will call for a vote as to whether academic credits shall be awarded. In order for all or some of the student's loss credits to be reinstated, the majority of the Attendance Committee members must agree on the decision. The decision of the Attendance Committee shall be final and will be presented to the parents in written format.