The Shelby County Board of Education believes that regular attendance is a necessary requirement of all students and that any student with the maturity and interest should be included in some phase of the school program.

All students are expected to attend school on each day that school is officially in session. Only the following reasons will be considered for excused absences:

1. Illness or hospitalization of student. Physician verification will be required to justify absences after the accumulation of ten (10) days of absence during a school year. Notes must be date specific and will be required for subsequent absences beyond ten (10) days.

2. Death or serious illness within the student's immediate family.

3. When the student is officially representing the school in a school sponsored activity.

4. Special and recognized religious holidays regularly observed by persons of their faith.

5. Legal court summons not as a result of the student's misconduct.

6. Extenuating circumstances over which the student has no control as approved by the principal.

7. If a student's parent, custodian or other person with legal custody or control of the student is a member of the United States Armed Forces, including a member of a state National Guard or a Reserve component called to federal active duty, the student's Principal shall give the student:

1. An excused absence for one (1) day when the student's parent, custodian or other person with legal custody or control of the student is deployed;

2. An additional excused absence for one (1) day when the student's parent, custodian or other person with legal custody or control of the student returns from deployment; and

3. Excused absences for up to ten (10) days for visitation when the student's parent, custodian or other person with legal custody or control of the student is granted rest and recuperation leave and is stationed out of the country.

4. Students receiving an excused absence under this section shall have the opportunity to make up school work missed and shall not have their class grades adversely affected for lack of class attendance or class participation due to the excused absence.

If necessary, verification is required from an official or other source to justify absences.

All absences other than those outlined above shall be considered unexcused.

A written statement, within two (2) school days of the student's return to school, shall be required from the parent or guardian explaining the reason for each absence.

Any administrative decision regarding attendance may be appealed to the Student Services Department.