Attendance

Regular, on-time attendance at school is directly related to student success. We want to work with families to ensure we are getting their children to school on time each day.

The State Accreditation Standards require the District to maintain excellent daily attendance. Students who fall below the 95% level may be asked to make up time to meet the standards. Students who are not in school miss essential information and life skills that can limit their success in school and later in the workplace. Developing good attendance habits is a primary concern for our schools and the state of Missouri.

Acceptable absences are defined in Board Policy as extenuating circumstances, such as severe illness and/or injury; religious observances; or visits with a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member of the military who has been called to duty for, is on leave from or is immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, with permission of the superintendent or designee.

Please be sure to call the school office each day your child will be absent within the first hour of the school day. We strive to keep communication open with families to positively impact student attendance and education.

HELPFUL ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

Excused Absences

Absence Due to Illness

The Belton School District attempts to ensure the health and safety of all our students. Children must be well to perform in school. We are asking parents to comply with the following procedure/guidelines to help reduce the spread of infection during the school year.

Parental cooperation in these matters will help ensure all children remain in good health throughout the school year.

Any child who vomits or has diarrhea the night before or the morning of school should be kept home and remain at home until no vomiting or diarrhea is present for 24 hours without the aid of medication.
Any child who has an elevated temperature (>100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) should remain home until the temperature has been normal for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication.
Any child who is coughing hard enough or frequent enough to interrupt the educational process for the child or classmates should be kept home until the coughing decreases.
Any child who has red, watery, burning eyes matting with drainage, especially if they are stuck shut upon arising, shall be kept home and may return to school after receiving medication for 24 hours or with physician approval.
Any child who looks or acts ill should be evaluated carefully before sending the child to school.
Any child who has been to the doctor for possible infectious conditions should bring a note from the physician declaring the child is not contagious.

While we encourage and expect regular attendance, please keep your children home if they have:

Fever
Enlarged or Swollen Glands
Sore Throat
Inflamed or Infected Eyes
Nausea or vomiting
Persistent or Deep Cough
Diarrhea
Lice – live bugs

Children must be fever-free (no greater than 100.4 degrees F) without medication for 24 hours. More information about the Health Attendance Policy can be found on our Health Services page.

Chronic Absence Procedures and Processes

When children reach five (5) days, eight (8) days and eleven (11) days of excused and/or unexcused absences, a note from the school district will be sent to the family.
When a student reaches 8 days of unexcused absences, documentation will be given to the School Resource Police Officer, and they will make direct contact with the family.
When a student reaches 11 unexcused absences, a citation will be written by the Belton Police Department, and the student’s parents will be required to appear in Municipal Court. (See City Ordinance Section 15-289, Truancy)
If a student continues to accrue absences, parents/guardians will continue to get ticketed at 16, 21, and 26, etc. unexcused absences.
Secondary students grades 9 - 12 will lose credit for courses if they do not meet the minimum attendance requirement. See the school handbook for additional details.
If a student accumulates more than 11 absences, additional actions will be taken including the possibility of Education Court with the Juvenile Office.