ABSENCES (4.7) Education is more than the grades students receive in their courses. Important as that is, students’ regular attendance at school is essential to their social and cultural development and helps prepare them to accept responsibilities they will face as an adult. Interactions with other students and participation in the instruction within the classroom enrich the learning environment and promote a continuity of instruction, which results in higher student achievement. In recognition of the need for students to regularly attend school, the district’s policy governing student absences is as follows: Students shall not be absent, as defined in this policy more than eight (8) days in a semester. When a student has four (4) absences, his/her parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis shall be notified that the student has missed half the allowable days for the semester. Prompt notification shall be by telephone or by regular mail. Any elementary student arriving after 8:45 until 11:45 would be marked as a half day morning absence. Any elementary student leaving after 11:45 and before 3:05 would be marked as a half day afternoon absence. Secondary students accrue absences per class period missed. The District shall notify the prosecuting authority along with the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis when a student accumulates nine (9) unexcused absences in the course of a semester. Additionally, the student shall not receive credit for the course. If the student fails to receive credit for a sufficient number of courses and at the discretion of the principal after consultation with persons having knowledge of the circumstances of the absences, the student may be denied promotion or graduation. Unexcused absences, however, shall not be a reason for expulsion or dismissal of a student. It is the Arkansas General Assembly’s intention that students having excessive absences due to illness, accident, or other unavoidable reason be given assistance in obtaining credit for their courses. Therefore, at any time prior to when a student exceeds the number of allowable absences (unless unable to do so due to unforeseen circumstances), the student, or his/her parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis may petition the school or district’s administration for special arrangements to address the student’s absences. If formal arrangements are granted, they shall be formalized into a written agreement which will include the conditions of the agreement and the consequences for failing to fulfill the agreement’s requirements. The agreement shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis, and the school or district administrator or designee. Unless a student’s excessive absence is due to an unforeseen circumstance, the District may accept a doctor’s note for a student’s excessive absence. Exception may also be made to satisfy Individual Education Plans or 504 Plans. Days missed due to in-school or out-of-school suspension shall not count toward the allowable number of days absent.