High School

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
Research shows a direct relationship between regular school attendance and student learning outcomes (Gottfried, 2010; Lamdin, 1996; London, Sanchez & Castrechini, 2016; Roby, 2004). There is no substitute for a missed instructional opportunity due to chronic absence. Students can’t learn if they aren’t present.

The early years of elementary school are essential to develop literacy, numeracy and social skills (Applied Survey Research, 2011). According to Sparks (2011), "a student who can't read on grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time." If poverty is added as a factor then the below grade level student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time than their proficient or wealthier peer (Sparks, 2011). Poor attendance during the elementary years widens skill gaps that may prove difficult to impossible to overcome through remedial efforts (Attendance Works, 2014). Research indicates that absenteeism in middle and high school can accurately predict high school dropout rates (Balfanz & Chang, 2016; Ginsburg, Jordan & Chang, 2014). 

Habits such as regular school attendance become lifelong habits that inform workforce readiness in later years. Regular school attendance is critical for our children's future economic well-being. Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest a strong correlation between educational attainment, employment, and weekly earnings.
 

Missing School Adds Up Quickly
The impact of missing school is more than you might expect. Review the table below to see how quickly chronic absenteeism can negatively impact student learning.

Attendance during one school year	Equates to days absent	Which is approximately	Which means the number of lessons missed
94%	10	2 weeks	70
90%	17	3 weeks	119
85%	25	5 weeks	175
80%	34	7 weeks	238
75%	42	8 weeks	294
70%	51	10 weeks	357
65%	59	12 weeks	413

The Compulsory Attendance Law
Regular school attendance is compulsory by law (Sections 167.031). The law requires all children within the compulsory attendance age to regularly attend a public, private, parochial, parish, home school or a combination of such schools for the duration of the entire school term. The compulsory attendance age is between 7 and 17 years of age (JEA).  

State Requirement - The Missouri requirement for school attendance is for 90% of students to be in attendance 90% of the time. Continued absences of those under 17 years of age will be handled in accordance with the law. School administrators and teachers are expected to enforce the law (Section 167.11) and Board Policy (JEA, JEC-1, JED, JED-AP1, JED-AP2, JEDB) regarding attendance.  In line with this requirement, the District considers school attendance of at least 90% to constitute “regular attendance” for purposes of the Compulsory Attendance Law. An explanation of this requirement, and how parents will be notified of absences, is included below under the headings, “Attendance Requirements” and “Parent Communication.”

District Expectations - Once enrolled in the district, the district expects the student to attend regularly and for the student's parents/guardians or other adults having charge, control or custody of the student to communicate regularly and honestly with the district regarding the student's absences. Holding students and their parents/guardians responsible for attendance is part of the district's larger mission to train students to be productive citizens and employees. In accordance with Policy JED, district administration has developed clear and reasonable attendance standards and will consistently enforce consequences for chronic absenteeism.

PreK-12 Student Attendance Goal - Every student sets a goal to miss no more than 5 days of school during the school year. Meeting that goal in grades PreK-12 will support readiness for college, career and success as a young adult.

Reporting to Local or State Authorities - The district will contact the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services or the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in cases where the district has a reasonable suspicion that a student's lack of attendance constitutes educational neglect on the part of the parents/guardians or that parents/guardians are in violation of the compulsory attendance law. No such action will be taken unless other strategies and interventions have been implemented and proven ineffective.

ATTENDANCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
A comprehensive system of attendance records will be maintained for each student. Each teacher is responsible for the accurate reporting of daily attendance in the classroom. The building Principal is responsible for supplying information to parents in regard to student absences, and for submitting attendance information to the Superintendent’s Office.  

Daily Absence Reporting
Parents should notify the school each day a student is absent. Parents and school personnel should follow district, CDC, and health department guidelines if the illness is COVID-19 related. Parents/guardians and students should follow the same guidelines for return to school. 

If the parent, for some reason, fails to notify school, the school may contact the parent. Students who miss school and fail to provide verbal or written verification of the absence will be marked as “unverified.” All absences, except those for school-sponsored activities, will count against a student’s hours absent. The district encourages doctor and dental appointments to be made after school hours to avoid missing instruction. Students who leave school during the school day without prior parental consent and without checking out through the appropriate office will be considered truant. Students must have parental consent and check out of school through the office.

Make-Up Work Due to Absence
Students have one day to make up missed assignments for each day absent. Students are responsible to find out what class assignments or homework assignments they missed and then complete the work. When absences are anticipated, the student is to contact his/her teacher(s) to determine what assignments are to be completed during the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to check with his/her teacher(s) as to work missed during the absence and the procedure to follow. When absences are due to school business, students are responsible for contacting their teacher(s) as to work missed and procedures to follow in order to complete class assignments by expected due date. 

Attendance Requirements
As stated above, under § 167.031, RSMo., a parent, guardian, or other person who enrolls a child in public school are required to ensure that child attends school regularly. The District considers a student to have attended school regularly if they maintain an average 90% or higher attendance rate on a rolling basis, based on actual hours of attendance. Unexcused absences will not count within this attendance rate. Absences resulting in an attendance rate of less than 90% on a rolling basis will be referred to the appropriate authorities for review and appropriate action. Your student’s attendance rate will be calculated on a daily basis.

A rolling basis means that percentage is calculated daily and this daily calculation rolls into a cumulative number. For example, if a student misses three days (which can include partial hours missed) out of thirty school days, they have a 90% attendance rate. If on the other hand a student misses 10 days (which can include partial hours) out of thirty school days, they have 80% attendance.

The following are the SJSD attendance codes for the 2024 school year.

Absent Codes (unexcused)

ABU
Absent - Unverifiable, couldn’t reach parent or guardian; left message, no returned call

BRV
Bereavement - Funeral or grief (including extended leave)

COL
College Visit - student visiting a potential college (without certified staff supervision)

DIST
District Choice - When student is on shortened day due to behavior or academic plan approved by district personnel and parent

HEA
Health - Parent or guardian communicated that the student was ill

LGL
Legal - Court appearance or hearing; appointment with juvenile officer

MED
Medical (Doctor/Dentist/Hospital) - Documentation required from doctor/dentist/hospital (with dates)

OSS
Out of School Suspension - Student has be suspended from school

PAC
Parent Choice - Parent decision not to attend school

STC
Student Choice - Student decision not to attend school

UNV
Unverified - Student was marked unverified (absent) by the teacher

VAC
Vacation - Vacation form approved by the principal or parent stated vacation

 

Present Codes (excused)

ACA
Academic Reassignment - Serving OSS within the district at another location

HOM
Homebound - Student is home but receiving district tutoring; 5 hours per week and documentation required

ISS
In School Suspension - Student is suspended but still receiving supervision at school

OCC
Office/Clinic/Counseling (Secondary Schools Only) - Student is in the office, with the nurse/clinic or with counselors

PSO
Post-Secondary Opportunity - Student is on a college or future employer visit with a certified staff member

SCH
School Business - Student is under the supervision of a certified staff member in an educational setting comment required

TDY
Tardy - Student arrives late but within the 10 minute tardy window

 

Parent Communication
Regular communication will occur throughout the year to inform parents of their child’s attendance. Once a student has missed two (2) consecutive days, their homeroom teacher (K-6) or advisory teacher/office personnel (7-8) will contact the parent via phone call. The teacher or office personnel will document the date of the communication and ascertain the reasons for absences. After 3 days of absence (see attendance codes above) resulting in a rolling attendance below 90%,  the school will contact parents. This information will be submitted to the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s office. 

When a student reaches five (5) days of absences, resulting in a rolling attendance below 90%, the school will send an informational letter to the parents, regardless of prior contact by phone or conference.  This notification and resulting parent meeting will be documented in student records and a copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s permanent file.  The information will be submitted to the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s Office.

When a student reaches eight (8) days of absences, resulting in a rolling average attendance below 90%, the school will send an informational letter to the parents, regardless of prior contact by phone or conference.  This notification and resulting parent meeting will be documented in student records and a copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s permanent file.  This information will be submitted to the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s Office.

After 10 or more days of absence, the information will be submitted to the Buchanan County Prosecutor's Office. That office will send a certified letter requesting contact with the Prosecutor's Office within 10 days of receipt to schedule a meeting at the Buchanan County Courthouse. 

On the eleventh (11) related absence resulting in a rolling average attendance below 90%, the student will be strongly recommended to attend summer school and an informational letter will be mailed home to parents. This procedure will be reviewed as needed to determine the student’s requirement for promotion.

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS TO EARN CREDIT
As described on page 24, our attendance goal is for students to miss fewer than five (5) days of the school year. Meeting that goal will support readiness for college, career, and success as a young adult. Additionally, the A+ Schools Program requirement is for students to attain 95% attendance. 

A high school student shall be allowed no more than eight (8) related absences per semester in any one class (this includes partial absences). Any absence from a class (including partial absences) will count toward the eight (8) absence maximum and will be noted on attendance updates. On the ninth (9) absence in any one class, the student will not earn credit for that class and an informational letter will be mailed home to parents. 

The following are examples of absences that will count toward the eight (8) absence limit: (a) oversleeping, (b) family vacations, (c) going out of town, (d) missing the bus, (e) no ride to school, (f) needed at home, (g) personal business, (h) car trouble, (i) activity camps, (j) mission trips, (k) other absences excused by parents, (l) school suspensions in excess of 5 days, and (m) district/state contests or other school related activities in which the student is not a participant.

The following will not count toward the eight (8) absence limit with proper documentation: (a) hospitalization, (b) death in the family, (c) mandatory court date, (d) religious observance, (e) documented doctor’s appointment, (f) medically documented illness, (g) COVID related quarantines for close contact or positive cases, (h) verified school counseling or office appointment, (i) documented dental/orthodontist appointment, (j) post-secondary opportunities (maximum of 4), (k) first five days of ISS or OSS, (l) school related activities in which the student is a participant. 

Communication
Parents and students can monitor the record of student attendance in each semester class through the PowerSchool Portal. Progress reports with a record of attendance will be sent home two times per semester. Additional attendance updates may be mailed home if a student has an emerging pattern of absenteeism within a semester, as outlined in the above, “Parent Communication” section.

Appeal Process
If the student or parent feels that justifiable or extraordinary circumstances have contributed to not meeting the attendance expectation, the student and parent may appeal to the Attendance Review Committee at their assigned secondary school. The request for an appeal should be completed and filed with the principal within the last two weeks of the  semester. The appeal decisions will be communicated to the student and/or guardian by building administration. 

The request for a waiver should include documentation of illness, funeral or family emergency from a medical doctor, dentist, minister or other official source.  The student and his or her parents may present evidence that the student has missed fewer absences than the district’s records show or that an absence should have been exempted. The review by the Attendance Review Committee shall be held within a reasonable time following the end of the semester. 

The Attendance Review Committee will consider the reasons for all of the student’s absences. The committee will consider all relevant information including whether the appeal form was returned to the building principal within ten business days from the date of notification and if the student has supplied reasons for each absence with appropriate documentation. Appeals must be heard and a decision rendered before a student may participate in graduation exercises. The outcome from the Attendance Review Committee will be communicated to the parents by phone and by written communication.
 

Possible outcomes from an appeal to the Review Committee include:

1. Credit not awarded.

2. Credit is awarded.

3. Student is assigned make-up time for class time missed, once made up credit will be awarded.

4. Student is placed on probation for the next quarter and/or semester, with credit held pending satisfactory attendance during the probationary period.
    

ATTENDANCE & ACTIVITIES ELIGIBILITY (Grades 6-12)
If a student misses class on the date of a contest, competition, or after school event without being excused by the principal, he/she shall be considered ineligible to participate or attend on that date.  The attendance and eligibility guidelines below can also be found in the SJSD Athletic Handbook.

1. All students who represent the school in activities must attend school for the full day of classes in order to participate.  A full day of attendance is defined as being in school prior to the end of the first class period of the day. If a student misses class without being excused by the principal, the student shall be considered ineligible on that date.

2. Students must be in regular attendance for the full day of the activity scheduled unless the activity is in another city and it is necessary that the student is absent for travel and participation, or, if the activity is scheduled on a date when school is not in session.

3. An absence will prevent the student from participating on the day of the absence and it will prevent the student from competing or participating until a full day of classes has been attended.

Board Policy IKF

The Board of Education for the St. Joseph School District establishes the following graduation policy and instructs the administration to develop all necessary procedures for proper implementation.

Requirements
1. Complete a total of 24 credits, including credits required by the State Board of Education (see below). See page 40 of this handbook for content specific graduation requirements. 

Curricular Areas	Credits	Required Courses
English Language Arts	4.0
Social Studies	3.0	World History, American History, American Government
Mathematics	3.0	*College entrance requirements may require more units.
Science	3.0	*College entrance requirements may require more units.
Physical Education	1.0
Health	0.5
Fine Arts	1.0
Practical Arts	1.0
Personal Finance	0.5
World Languages	0.0	*College entrance requirements may require more units.
Electives	7
Total Credits	24

2. Pass proficiency exams concerning American history, American institutions, American civics, and the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions.

3. Successful completion in a course of instruction of at least one semester in length on the institutions, branches and functions of the government of the state of Missouri, including local governments, the U.S. government and the electoral process.

4. Have earned credit in the St. Joseph School District’s educational program between the ninth and twelfth grades. 

5. Have taken all required end-of-course (EOC) exams.

6. Have received 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction and training in the proper performance of the Heimlich maneuver or other first aid for choking.

7. Complete ten hours of community service.

Exceptions

1. Graduation requirements for a student with a disability receiving special education services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) may be determined according to the student’s individualized education program (IEP).

2. Students transferring from other Missouri school districts or charter schools, private or parochial schools, home schools, unaccredited schools, and schools in other states or countries will have their credits transferred in accordance with guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (see pages 6-9 of the DESE Graduation Handbook).

3 The district will waive the requirement to pass proficiency exams concerning American history, American institutions, American civics, and the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions for students who transfer from another state if they can document the successful completion of a course of instruction in the institutions, branches and functions of state government, including local governments, the U.S. government and the electoral process. Such instruction must have been completed in grades nine through twelve.

4. Graduation requirements for foster care students will be modified or waived in accordance with law and Board policy IGBE.

5. Eligible students who successfully complete the Missouri Option Program will be awarded a High School diploma. Building administration are able to recommend students who are credit deficient and at risk of graduating for this program.

Additional Time - 5th Year Senior 

1. When considering a senior who will not meet graduation requirements in time to graduate with their cohort in May. 

• If a student can meet the remaining requirements during summer school, enroll the student in the necessary summer course work. Students will graduate upon summer school completion. 
• If a student can earn the necessary credits to graduate by part time enrollment during the first semester, please enroll the student. If the student needs more than part-time enrollment to meet graduation requirements during the first semester of his or her 5th year, strongly consider enrolling the student in the Missouri Options program. Exceptions could be made for those students identified as receiving ELD and/or IEP services.

Earning Credit

1. The superintendent or designee is directed to assign credit values for courses offered by or through the school district and to develop formulas and procedures for awarding credit to transfer students who transfer from a district that uses a different standard for awarding credit. All courses that extend for the full term will be considered to be one-unit courses. Courses that extend for one-half the school term will be considered half-unit courses.

2. The St. Joseph School District recognizes units of credit obtained through accredited schools and school districts, including credits earned through correspondence courses or courses delivered primarily through electronic media, such as satellite video, cable video or computer-driven or online courses. For the purposes of this policy, an "accredited school" is the Missouri Course Access Program (MoCAP) or  a private agency where students with disabilities are placed by a public school; or any school or school district accredited by DESE. If a school or school district is located in another state or country, that school or school district must be accredited by that state's or country's department of education, AdvancED, ISACS or the equivalent agencies.

3. Students may earn advanced-standing credit by successfully completing high-school level courses prior to entering the ninth grade. Advanced-standing credit may be counted toward meeting all graduation requirements, including state minimum requirements.

4. The district may waive one unit of academic credit in English language arts, math, science or social studies, whichever is most appropriate, for students who successfully complete an eligible three-unit career/technical program. Students must request this credit waiver prior to enrolling in the career/technical program for which the waiver is sought. Students must take the end-of-course exam required for any waived course.

5. In addition to the waiver of credit above, a student may fulfill one unit of academic credit with a district-approved agriculture or career and technical education course for any English language arts, mathematics, science or social studies unit required for high school graduation in any combination up to fulfilling one requirement in each of the four subject areas. The substitution may not be made for courses that require an end-of-course statewide assessment. Unless otherwise waived by law, students who substitute certain courses with agricultural or career and technical courses are still required to complete a course of study of at least one semester in length covering the institutions, branches and functions of the government of the state of Missouri, including local governments, and of the government of the United States and the electoral process.

6. Students may earn credit for a subject that has been embedded into another subject-area course in accordance with guidelines established by DESE.

7. The superintendent or designee may approve credit earned on a proficiency basis if a student is able to demonstrate mastery of the competencies for a particular course and if state requirements are met for a quality, competency-based credit system.

8. Students may earn credit by other means as approved by the Board and in accordance with law.

9. Credit recovery provides an opportunity for students who would otherwise fail a course to complete the requirements of the class. The content teacher will outline the deficiencies the student must correct in order to receive credit for the class. These courses are transcripted as pass/fail and will not count toward the students GPA.

10. Students can earn high school credit for courses taken during summer school; however, these courses will not count toward your GPA or class rank. 

Diplomas
Students will be awarded a diploma in accordance with this policy and as permitted by law. A student in the household of an active duty member of the military, including some veterans who are deceased or injured as defined by law, who transfers to the St. Joseph School District from another state at the beginning of or during his or her senior year who will not meet the graduation requirements of the St. Joseph School District by the end of the senior year will receive a diploma from the sending school district if the student is able to meet the graduation requirements of the sending district. Representatives from the St. Joseph School District and the sending district will work with the student to facilitate this alternative. If the sending district refuses to cooperate, the St. Joseph School District will use best efforts to allow the student to graduate by the end of the senior year. Foster care students will be awarded a diploma in accordance with law and Board policy IGBE. Students who complete the district's graduation requirements while under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court will be awarded a high school diploma even if the student completes the requirements in a different school district. In addition to receiving their graduation diploma, students may earn a career and technical education certificate (CTE) if they meet the standards created by the State Board of Education.

Content Specific Graduation Requirements

English Language Arts 
Four units of credit shall include written and oral expression, language structure, and literature. Instruction in basic reading skills may be counted as one-half unit in meeting the English Language Arts requirement.  

Social Studies 
Three units will be required and shall include one unit covering the history and culture of the other nations of the world, one unit of American History, and one-half unit on the functions and structure of American government. Beginning with the class of 2021, students will be required to earn one credit of world history, one credit of American history, and one credit of American Government.

Mathematics 
Three units of credit will be required.

Science 
Three units of credit will be required: one unit must be completed in a life science course; one unit in a course addressing the principles of chemistry, and one additional unit of science. The completion of 2 years of agricultural science at Hillyard Technical Center can satisfy the requirement for the third science credit.   

Physical Education 
One unit is required. JROTC may be counted in lieu of physical education credit.  

Health 
One-half unit will be required. The health course is to be taken in the freshman or sophomore years. Since health is included in JROTC, this requirement will be waived for those who elect to use JROTC for the physical education credit. 

Fine Arts 
One unit of credit will be required. This credit may be obtained by taking a unit course or two one-half unit courses. Music, art, or drama may be counted as fine arts.  

Practical Arts 
One unit is required. Business education, industrial arts, skilled technical sciences (Hillyard Technical Center), cooperative occupational education, family and consumer sciences, and vocational-technical courses may be used to meet the requirement. 

Personal Finance 
One-half unit of Personal Finance or approved substitutes is required in eleventh or twelfth grade.

Graduation Exercises
Unless otherwise stated in this policy, students may only participate in graduation ceremonies if they have successfully completed all graduation requirements or the requirements to receive an alternative diploma or a certificate of attendance in accordance with Board policy. Students seeking to apply credits earned through other accredited schools, as defined in policy IKF, toward graduation requirements must provide the district with verified documentation of the completion of these courses prior to the May Board of Education Meeting in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Any student who has otherwise met all requirements for graduation will be granted a diploma, regardless of whether he or she participates in graduation exercises. Participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege and not a right. A student must be in good standing in order to participate in graduation exercises (Board Policy IKFB).

Students who graduate through the alternative program at Webster Learning Center will participate in the June graduation ceremonies. Their diploma will be processed through their sending school (Benton, Central, or Lafayette). Students who graduate through public day school at Webster Learning Center may participate in the traditional high school graduation. Official records and transcripts for graduates of the alternative program, public day school, or Missouri Option will be managed through sending school (Benton, Central, or Lafayette). 

Early Graduation
Students will be eligible for graduation from high school after completing the graduation requirements in Board policy IKF and eight full semesters of course enrollment.  Exceptions to the eight-semester enrollment requirement may be made under certain circumstances, but only when a special need exists, as outlined herein. Some examples of situation, wherein an exception to the attendance requirement may be made by the school district are as follows:  

The eight-semester attendance requirement may be reduced for pupils who cannot attend school due to illness or physical disability when such conditions are certified by a physician. Part of the graduation requirements may be met by these students through approved correspondence courses or homebound instruction.  

Students may apply to leave high school in less than eight semesters if they have met the following conditions: (a) Students must have a special need to leave high school in less than eight semesters and must have an appropriately planned educational experience in college, vocational school, or on-the-job training for the remainder of their eight semester attendance period, (b) The student must have completed the minimum units required by DESE and any additional units required by the St. Joseph School District, (c) The parent or guardian must be interviewed by the counselor or principal and submit signed approval for a student's participation in the activity, and (d) The student must provide a statement signed by an admissions officer or employer certifying acceptance into an approved activity.  

Students meeting the above conditions to the satisfaction of the school officials may be permitted to leave school before completing eight semesters of attendance.  A transcript shall be given to each student showing the credits earned and the conditions under which a diploma will be granted in the future.  Students successfully completing the approved, planned educational experience (as outlined above) shall be eligible to receive their high school diplomas with their graduation class.  Any qualified student wishing to apply for a waiver of the eight-semester attendance requirement may do so with his or her counselor after the junior year or before the second semester of the senior year.

Criteria for Determining "Special Need" for Early Graduation

A. On-the-job training, or apprenticeship program, or trade school:

1. The candidate must have a career goal before applying to graduate early.
2. The activity must provide appropriate preparation for the candidate's career goals.
3. The candidate should demonstrate aptitude for the activity by classroom achievement and/or performance on a standardized test such as GATB, Armed Services Vocational, Aptitude Test or DAT.
4. The student should present in written form his or her particular special need for entering the planned activity.

B. College:

1. The candidate must have completed an academic program with sufficient success to gain admission into college.
2. The candidate must present in writing his or her particular special need for entering college early.

Missouri Option Program
The Missouri Option Program permits full-time, public school enrolled students who are at least 17 years of age and at risk of dropping out or not graduating with their cohort group, the opportunity to earn a standard high school diploma. Graduation through the Missouri Option Program is not dependent on Carnegie credit attainment. The Missouri Option Program is competency-based and approved by the State Board of Education. The program utilizes a high school equivalency exam as content mastery for graduation purposes. The exam sanctioned by the state for the Missouri Option program is the HiSET® test. Missouri Option students successfully passing the exam and completing all other program requirements are eligible to receive a high school diploma. 

Students must participate in a minimum of 15 hours of academic instruction per week. Students must also be enrolled in other school-supervised instructional activities (career education courses, elective classes, work experience, etc.) that lead to the student's classification by the LEA as a full-time student. The LEA should provide a level and quality of education that ensures the integrity of the Missouri Option Program and locally issued high school diploma. 

Local Education Agencies may have additional requirements when issuing a regular high school diploma that is consistent with what is required of all students. Missouri Option students must take the required EOC tests – Algebra I (or Algebra II if Algebra was taken prior to high school), English II, Biology and American Government. State law also requires that all graduate candidates take a course in government and the functions of government and pass the required tests related to the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions. Participants must also complete a half unit course in Personal Finance and Health.

Students meeting graduation requirements through the Missouri Option program will be eligible to participate in the traditional high school graduation ceremonies. 

Procedures for Acknowledgement of Student Deaths at Graduation

High school graduation is a time for students, their families, and the community to celebrate the achievements of students as they earn a diploma and begin their post-secondary endeavors.  The Saint Joseph School District recognizes that life milestones like high school graduations can be a time when memories of students or other members of the school community who died can be triggered.  SJSD wishes to provide an opportunity to remember those who died while also respecting the graduates and families who choose not to have feelings of grief overshadow their time of celebration. With this in mind, SJSD will recognize students and other members of the high school community who have died according to the following:

Graduation Ceremony

If a student was enrolled in an SJSD high school at the time of their death the student will be acknowledged during the graduation ceremony that student would have attended, regardless of the reason for the death (ie accident, suicide, medical illness.)  Families of those that died, as well as the students and school staff, should be informed beforehand.  If required for admission, tickets will be provided to parents/guardians if they wish to attend the graduation ceremony.  The student will be listed in the graduation program in a space designated to remember students of that cohort who died while in high school.

A memory stone and flowers will be placed on the stage, and there will be spoken acknowledgement of those members of the school community who are unable to be present due to death – this includes students, staff, and immediate family members.  This acknowledgement may be followed by a moment of silence to provide an opportunity for personal reflection.

Posthumous Diplomas

Students (seniors) who completed the sufficient credits to graduate prior to his or her death may qualify for a posthumous diploma. This may be presented, if desired by the family, at a time outside of the official graduation ceremony.

Yearbooks

The school yearbook is a lasting record with the purpose of memorializing the shared experiences of a school community.  Honoring one particular student who died with a yearbook feature or tribute can cause hurt and resentment for the friends and family of other students who died. In lieu of yearbook staff including a memorial feature or tribute, parents/guardians may purchase a senior ad for the yearbook should they wish to do so.