Attendance
Every Child. Every Hour. Every Day.
Our Commitment
Clear Attendance Policies
We maintain clear and consistent attendance policies, emphasizing the importance of regular school attendance.
Supportive Environment
We strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued and connected.
Early Intervention
We identify and address attendance concerns early, working collaboratively with families to find solutions.
Community Partnerships
We collaborate with community partners to provide resources and support to families facing barriers to attendance.
Attendance Tips
Build a consistent routine. Regular bedtimes, a morning routine, and a good breakfast make a real difference in getting students to school ready to learn. Visit our School Meals page to view menus and plan meals for the week.
Call when your child is absent. On any day your child won't be in school, contact the school directly to report the absence and ensure your child is accounted for.
Submit documentation within three days. Without documentation, absences are automatically classified as unexcused — and reclassification after the window closes isn't possible.
Schedule appointments wisely. When possible, schedule medical, dental, and other appointments before or after school hours. Even a half-day absence disrupts the learning cycle — and students who miss a school-sponsored activity that same day won't be permitted to attend.
Plan for make-up work. Students receive one day to make up work for each day absent. It's the student's responsibility to connect with each teacher and retrieve missed assignments. Getting ahead of this on the first day back makes a big difference.
Talk to us before problems grow. If your child is resistant to attending school, struggling with health issues, or dealing with social or academic challenges, please don't wait. Reach out to your child's school counselor or principal — we have resources and we want to help.
Use Campus Parent to monitor attendance. The Campus Parent portal gives families real-time access to their student's attendance record. If something doesn't look right, contact the school right away.
District Attendance Policy
Missouri law requires all children between the ages of 7 and 17 to attend school regularly. Students enrolled in Poplar Bluff R-I School District are expected to be present for the full school term. This isn't just a legal requirement — it's the foundation of a successful education.
On any day your child is absent, you will receive an automated notification by phone, text, or email — even if you've already reported the absence. This is a safety measure we take seriously to ensure every student is accounted for. To report an absence, contact your child's school directly or through the Campus Parent portal.
Documentation must be submitted within three school days of the student's return. Absences without documentation on file are unexcused. The following absences are considered excused:
- Medical appointment, with written confirmation from the provider
- Funeral or bereavement
- Religious observance, with a written note from the parent
- Court appearance or other appointment that cannot be scheduled outside school hours, with written documentation
- Out-of-school suspension
- Visit with a parent or guardian who is an active-duty military member called to or returning from a combat deployment, with superintendent approval
- Foster care placement change or court-ordered activity
- Mental or behavioral health absence, with written documentation from a licensed mental health professional
- Subpoena or participation in a criminal proceeding
All other absences — and any excusable absence for which documentation is not received within three days — are considered unexcused.
Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. Tardies are tracked on a semester basis. For students in grades 4–8, each student is allowed five tardies per semester before an office referral is issued. For students in grades 9–12, each student is allowed two tardies per class per semester. Students arriving late to school must check in at the attendance desk and will receive an unexcused tardy unless a professional excuse is provided.
Grades K–8
Absences — excused or unexcused — are tracked cumulatively. The district uses the following thresholds as guidelines:
- 12 days: Principal discretion; may require summer school based on individual academic needs
- 15–19 days (or 87–89% attendance): Mandatory two weeks of summer school; administrative discretion if student is in good academic standing
- 20–24 days (or 85–87% attendance): Mandatory full summer school term; administrative discretion if student is in good academic standing
- 25+ days (or below 85% attendance): Mandatory full summer school term and possible grade retention
Grades 9–12
Students may have up to ten verified absences per semester. Absences beyond ten must be appealed to the principal. Beginning with the sixth absence in a semester, parents will be notified by phone or mail. Students and families may appeal attendance consequences in writing within ten school days of the notice. Appeals are reviewed by a building-level committee at the end of the semester, and the committee's decision is final. Students are expected to continue attending school and completing all coursework while an appeal is pending.
Truancy Court
The Poplar Bluff R-I School District participates in the 36th Judicial Circuit Court Truancy Court program. Students with a history of excessive absenteeism may be referred to the Butler/Ripley County Juvenile Office. Our goal is always to work with families well before it reaches that point — but we want families to know this resource exists and that we take attendance seriously at every level.
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Missouri law requires all children between the ages of 7 and 17 to attend school regularly. Students enrolled in Poplar Bluff R-I School District are expected to be present for the full school term. This isn't just a legal requirement — it's the foundation of a successful education.
-
On any day your child is absent, you will receive an automated notification by phone, text, or email — even if you've already reported the absence. This is a safety measure we take seriously to ensure every student is accounted for. To report an absence, contact your child's school directly or through the Campus Parent portal.
-
Documentation must be submitted within three school days of the student's return. Absences without documentation on file are unexcused. The following absences are considered excused:
- Medical appointment, with written confirmation from the provider
- Funeral or bereavement
- Religious observance, with a written note from the parent
- Court appearance or other appointment that cannot be scheduled outside school hours, with written documentation
- Out-of-school suspension
- Visit with a parent or guardian who is an active-duty military member called to or returning from a combat deployment, with superintendent approval
- Foster care placement change or court-ordered activity
- Mental or behavioral health absence, with written documentation from a licensed mental health professional
- Subpoena or participation in a criminal proceeding
All other absences — and any excusable absence for which documentation is not received within three days — are considered unexcused.
-
Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. Tardies are tracked on a semester basis. For students in grades 4–8, each student is allowed five tardies per semester before an office referral is issued. For students in grades 9–12, each student is allowed two tardies per class per semester. Students arriving late to school must check in at the attendance desk and will receive an unexcused tardy unless a professional excuse is provided.
-
Grades K–8
Absences — excused or unexcused — are tracked cumulatively. The district uses the following thresholds as guidelines:- 12 days: Principal discretion; may require summer school based on individual academic needs
- 15–19 days (or 87–89% attendance): Mandatory two weeks of summer school; administrative discretion if student is in good academic standing
- 20–24 days (or 85–87% attendance): Mandatory full summer school term; administrative discretion if student is in good academic standing
- 25+ days (or below 85% attendance): Mandatory full summer school term and possible grade retention
Grades 9–12
Students may have up to ten verified absences per semester. Absences beyond ten must be appealed to the principal. Beginning with the sixth absence in a semester, parents will be notified by phone or mail. Students and families may appeal attendance consequences in writing within ten school days of the notice. Appeals are reviewed by a building-level committee at the end of the semester, and the committee's decision is final. Students are expected to continue attending school and completing all coursework while an appeal is pending.Truancy Court
The Poplar Bluff R-I School District participates in the 36th Judicial Circuit Court Truancy Court program. Students with a history of excessive absenteeism may be referred to the Butler/Ripley County Juvenile Office. Our goal is always to work with families well before it reaches that point — but we want families to know this resource exists and that we take attendance seriously at every level.