Dear Parent/Guardians,

Please read over this and discuss it with your student.  It is very important for you and your child to understand the importance of school attendance.  Not only is it essential to the success of your child, but it is the law.  We are required to report truancy to the Mayes County District Attorney or the county in which the child resides.  Please review your handbook closely for more detailed information on the attendance and truancy policy. 

The following are some guidelines to help you in managing your child’s attendance:

--If your child will be absent, please call the office before noon.   You must call each time to prevent us from calling you. This allows us to know that your child is safe and the reason they are home. Please understand that a call from a parent can not “excuse” an absence.  

--If a student has greater than seven (7) absences in any class during a semester (either excused or unexcused), that student will not receive a grade higher than 59% (F) and will not receive credit for that class. In extreme cases, and at the discretion of the principal, exceptions can be made for verifiable lengthy medical conditions of a serious nature, and when the student is hospitalized or under doctor’s orders to remain at home.

-- It is the responsibility of the parent to provide signed and dated statements from a physician within three (3) school days of the student’s return to school. 

--The school will send letters home to parents advising of attendance issues.  Home visits may be made to follow up with a student with chronic absenteeism.  

Locust Grove Public Schools will be enforcing State Law 70-10-106, which states:   If a child is absent four (4) or more days or parts of days within a four-week period, or is absent ten (10) or more days or parts of days within a semester, the student shall be considered truant, and the school shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child and immediately report such absences to the district attorney in the county.

We are having a great year!  But we need your help to make every day count. If you have any concerns, questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely, 

Jamie Hall