Consistent attendance supports students academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally. Each school day offers learning, connection, and opportunities to grow skills that last a lifetime.

What do I do if my child is absent? 

For every student absence, a parent or guardian must notify the school within 24 hours of the absence. At Mt. Vernon, absences may be reported using one of the following methods:

Contact the front office as listed above.
 

What counts as an excused absence? 

Under the Hancock County Attendance Protocols, students are permitted seven (7) discretionary absences per school year.  Although a student is provided with seven (7) discretionary absences, all efforts should be made to avoid absences during state testing, before and after breaks, and/or during finals. A discretionary absence is an absence that:

Does not require documentation or administrative approval, and

Is reported to the school by a parent or guardian within 24 hours
 

Once all seven discretionary absences have been used, any additional absences without required documentation or approval will be considered unexcused, unless the absence qualifies as excused or exempt under the guidelines below.

An absence may be considered excused if:

The school is notified within 24 hours, and

Appropriate documentation is provided

 

Excused absences include, but are not limited to:

Personal illness

Death in the immediate family

Professional appointments (medical, dental, legal)

Observance of a religious holiday

Higher education or college visits

Emergency or set of circumstances

Any other good cause acceptable to the Superintendent or designee, or as permitted by law

Documentation must be submitted within 24 hours of the absence and may be provided by:

Delivering documentation to the school’s front office

Emailing documentation to the office listed above