Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law

The Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law was implemented during the 1983 – 1984 school year. A child who has attained age six (6) but not eight (8) on or before September 1, 1983, was required to attend school.  Each year after 1983 – 1984, one year was added to the age of pupils so that by 1989 – 1990, every child ages six (6) through fourteen (14) was required to attend school. Currently, the compulsory age of school attendance is six (6) to seventeen (17). A parent, guardian, or custodian in noncompliance is guilty of child neglect and, if convicted, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year in jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Noncompliance is evidenced by failure to enroll the child within eighteen (18) days of the first day of the school year or twelve (12) accumulated unlawful absences of the child at school.

Wednesday Dismissal
Students will be dismissed at 1:30 each Wednesday afternoon so that teachers may participate in professional developmental activities.

Perfect Attendance
Quitman County School District commends those students who make an effort to attend school on a regular basis. Each student who has perfect attendance each year will be awarded a certificate at the end-of-the-year award ceremonies. Perfect attendance shall be defined and observed as no absences, no tardiness, and no dismissals from school. Exceptions shall be school bus tardiness, or school-sponsored field trips.

Absence From School
Good school attendance and promptness to classes are extremely important matters. Time on task is essential if students are to succeed in their educational efforts. Absences are categorized as follows:

Official
An official absence is when the student is representing the school in some capacity such as field trips, athletic events, or club or organization trips. This absence shall not be counted against the student. However, all work missed must be made up. No more than 5 days can be missed due to school related activities.

Excused

• Sickness and/or appointment verified by a doctor or dentist's statement.
• Sickness verified by parent's or guardian's signed written statement with phone # to verify.
• Death or serious illness in the immediate family.
• Observance of religious holidays of the student's own faith.
• Special circumstances such as weather extremes, court appearance as a party or under subpoena, educational experiences, or family emergencies which require immediate action and which school principal deems acceptable.

In order for ANY ABSENCE, with the exception of school field trips, to be excused, pupils must submit a note signed by a parent/legal guardian stating the reason for that absence. The pupil must present this excuse to the school office within 2 days after he/she returns to school. If no excuse is presented, the absence shall be considered unexcused.

Unexcused
If a student does not get an absence excused through a note, or if the absence does not meet the criteria for an excused absence, then that absence will be classified as unexcused. If a student is given an unexcused absence, he/ she will be required to make up the work missed on the day of absence. Any absence from school due to a suspension shall be considered an unexcused absence. In the instance a student is absent due to a suspension, a parent conference will be required before the student begins the make-up work.
A student will not be eligible and cannot receive credit for any class taken if he/she has missed over twenty (20) days in any particular course during the year (over twenty (20) days in any particular course during the year (over ten [10] for a one semester course at the Middle School or High School). These twenty (20) or ten (10) absences include both excused and unexcused absences. However, the Quitman County School Board may grant a student an extension of days for a serious or extended illness or extreme emergency upon special approval. Roll checks are to be made and recorded in a grade book by every teacher for each class every day. Students are expected to be present and on time for classes. Absences will be verified on a timely basis.

Compulsory Attendance Officer
When a student is absent more than five (5) days, he or she is reported to the Compulsory Attendance Officer

Make-Up Opportunities
Any student who has an absence (excused, unexcused, or suspension) shall make up any work missed. In instances where the student was present when work was assigned or tests scheduled, the student is expected to submit the work or take the test upon the day of returning to school. 
Students who have been absent on successive days should contact the school office regarding their make-up work.  Upon return, the student will have 3 school days to complete assignments or make up tests. If the work is not made up by this time, a zero will be recorded for that assignment or test. It is the responsibility of the teacher to make the work available. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for assignments and to be sure to complete all make-up work. Teachers will be expected to assist students in this effort.
Students should not be taken from school during test weeks.  Make-up tests for missed school tests will be given only for excused absences. Missed Mississippi Curriculum Tests given in May must be made up in the prescribed time frame.

Tardiness
Students are expected to be at school by 7:50 am. The school district provides transportation. A parent who chooses to bring his/her child to school, allow the child to walk to school, or, where appropriate, allow the child to drive to school is responsible for having the child to school on time.
For school-specific information regarding tardiness, see each school’s section at the end of this handbook.

Dismissal From School
Once a child arrives in the morning, he/she will not be allowed to leave campus without permission from the office. Students are expected to be in attendance the entire instructional day. Students are not to be picked up early unless it is an emergency. If the parent/guardian knows ahead of time that the child will be picked up early, a note should be written so that all teachers can be notified. Work missed must be made up.
The following rules must be followed in picking up a child early:

• Only those persons listed on the Student Registration Card in the school office may take a child from school.
• The person who comes to check the child out of school must identify himself/herself.
• Office personnel will check the Student Registration Card to determine if the person is listed on the card.
• If the office personnel do not know the person personally, he/she will ask for photographic identification.
• If the person’s name is not on the card, school personnel will use the phone number on the card to verify that the person is to pick the student up from school. This will be done even if a note is sent.
• A list will be maintained by the checkout in a folder noting those students that have a court order on file. If there is a question about which parent is to pick up the child, school personnel will notify the other parent and ask that the parents come to a solution.
• Each teacher will keep a file of those students who are “flagged” when there are potential problems. The teacher or assistant teacher will escort those children to the office if the students are to be dismissed early.
• A written note from parents changing the way a child will go home must be on file. The number contacted for verification will be the number on the Student Registration Card.
• When a child is checked out before the end of the school day, the person checking the child out must sign the Check Out List in the office, giving the time and reason.

Emergency Dismissal
In the event of an emergency dismissal during the school day, parents should have already discussed with their child a plan for what he/she is to do. All efforts will be made to inform parents by all local media available. Parents must provide the school with emergency contact names and phone numbers in the event they are unavailable for assistance. This information will be documented on the Student Registration Card.