Regular attendance is necessary for all pupils.  Responsibility for regular attendance is the duty of every parent.  Pupils should familiarize themselves with the regulations concerning attendance.
    
    A legitimate excuse for absence shall be:

     1.  illness,
     2.  severe weather,
     3.  assisting parents when absolutely necessary,
     4.  accompanying parents in emergency or vital situations,
     5.  death in the family,
     6.  appointments with doctors.  When possible, schedule doctor              
         appointments before or after school hours.

     In order to be admitted into the classroom after being absent, a written excuse signed by a parent, or phone call, must be presented to the office.

      It shall be the policy of Atkinson Elementary/Junior High School, District 21, to report as truant any student enrolled in the District for excessive absenteeism on the part of such student.  The term „excessive absenteeism‰, as used herein, shall mean unexcused absences exceeding five (5) days per quarter or the hourly equivalent; or when the number of total absences exceeds twelve (12) days cumulatively per school year or the hourly equivalent.  However, when a student brings in a doctor‚s note for his/her excused absence, it will not count towards the twelve.  
     If the student in question continues to be or becomes habitually truant, the administrator or his/her designee, shall serve a written notice to the student violating Section 79-201 warning him/her to comply with its provisions.  If, within one week after the time such notice is given, such student is still violating the section, the administrator or his/her designee shall file a report with the county attorney of the county in which such student resides.  [Board Policy 5130]