Excused Absences (OSHS)
- Attendance Information
Excused Absences (OSHS)
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Excused absences include Parental-Excused, Documented-Excused, Administrative-Excused, and Medical-Excused. Mississippi Law limits students to a total five (5) excused absences per semester, three (3) of which can be Parental-Excused. Any additional absences beyond five must be approved by the superintendent or they are considered unlawful absences.
Parental-Excused Absence
A student is allowed three (3) parental absences per semester. Documented dates must coincide with the actual days of absence. Parents must notify the Attendance Office by phone, in writing, or in person within two (2) school days of the absence. The absence is recorded for school purposes and the student is allowed to make up work and/or tests missed. Absences may be excused according to the Mississippi Compulsory Attendance Law for the following reasons:
- The absence results from the attendance of an authorized school activity with the prior approval. Such activities may include field trips, athletic contests, student conventions, musical festivals, and any similar activity.
- The absence results from illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.
- When isolation of a student is ordered by the County Health Officer or by the State Board of Health.
- The death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family of a student. The immediate family member(s) of a student shall include children, spouse, grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters, including step-brothers and step-sisters.
- The absence results from a medical or dental appointment of a student where the approval of the superintendent of OSSD or his/her designee is gained prior to the absence, except in the case of an emergency.
- The absence results from the attendance of a student at the proceedings of a court or administrative tribunal if such child is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.
- The religion to which the student or the student's parents adheres requires or suggests the observance of a religious event. The approval of such absence is within the discretion of the superintendent or his/her designee, but approval should be granted unless the religion's observance is of such duration as to interfere with the education of the student.
If a compulsory-school-age child has not been enrolled in a school within fifteen (15) calendar days after the first day of the school year of the school which such child is eligible to attend or such child has accumulated five (5) unlawful absences during the school year, the principal or school superintendent shall report such absences to the school attendance officer of the youth court or family court.
Documented-Excused Absence
The absence is verified by the parent/guardian and is excused by written documentation such as a doctor’s excuse, legal order, religious holiday verification, etc. The absence is recorded for school purposes and the student is allowed to make up work and/or tests missed. Documentation must be received within two (2) days of the absence.
Medical documentation will only be excused full day if the excuse indicates it to be a full day. If the doctor’s excuse indicates beginning and ending times, the excuse may only be accepted for those times, not the entire day. The doctor’s office can fax or scan and email the excuse to the school. The scan and email can be sent to the school attendance clerk.
Administrative-Excused Absence
Administrative absence designation is used to cover special situations which include college visits, funerals, graduations, and certain school-related activities. Parents must request this absence two (2) days in advance through the online administrative absence link and provide related documentation. Administrative absences will only be approved when all parental absences have been applied for the given semester.
School Business Absence
At the principal's discretion, students may be counted present or excused when they are absent from class due to official school business. These
absences will not count against the exemption policy and will be marked as present. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Participation in school-sponsored activities.
- Field Trips
- Athletic Events
- Meetings with school staff, counselors, administrators, or nurses.
- Testing or academic programs approved by the school
- Other activities authorized by the school administration
Students are responsible for making up any missed assignments in accordance with school policy.
- OSHS