Absences due to flu and the exemption policy
October 22, 2009

This is a particularly difficult flu season and Mount Mercy Academy wants students to do what is best for their health. Students with flu-like symptoms do not belong in school. They are endangering their own health and the health of those around them. We realize that some students are worried about exemptions from final exams and are coming to school sick because they do not want to lose their exemption. As a result of this Mount Mercy has decided that absences due to the flu will be counted as only one absence for the duration of the illness. In other words if a student is out of school 2, 3, 4 or more days in succession because of the flu, we will treat it as a single absence. Students, however, must have a written excuse on file when they return to school in order to take advantage of this change in the policy.
This policy is only in regards to counting absences for exemptions from final exams and has nothing to do with actual number of days you were absent from school.  Your actual total absences from school will still be your accurate attendance record.