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Attendance and Absences

Attendance

Attendance is the responsibility of the student, the parents, and the school. The importance of regular, daily attendance as a basis for academic achievement cannot be over-emphasized. Absences have a negative effect upon instructional continuity, regardless of any attempts to make up work. The regular contact of the student with one another in the classroom and the student’s participation in a well-planned instructional activity under the tutelage of a teacher are vital.

Absences

The following attendance procedures apply to Baker Elementary School and help the school accomplish the desired attendance goal of 95%:

  1. Daily attendance will be taken in the classroom.
  2. Any notes for student absences should be brought promptly to the office.
  3. If a student is absent, it is essential that parents telephone the school office by 8:00 a.m. at 867-8422, ext. 44610. If the office does not receive a call by 8:00 a.m., the office will contact the parent/guardian regarding the student’s absence from school. If the office is unable to reach a parent/guardian, a note explaining the student absence is necessary. Written excuses must include date(s) absence, reason for absence, and parent/guardian signature. If there is no phone call or written note from a parent/guardian excusing the student absence, it will be recorded as unexcused or truant.
  4. A parent/guardian has three (3) days from the date of the occurrence to validate the absence. If the absence remains un-validated, the absence will remain unexcused or truant.
  5. Students must attend school to participate in any school activity on the same day.

Absence Categories

EXCUSED

Absences will be recorded as excused for a student who is ill, injured, or suffering from a mental or emotional disability with notification by the parent or guardian. Other absences will be excused if pre-arranged with the teacher and approved by the school administrator and may include things like: 1) doctor appointments, 2) funerals and 3) court. Though excused, the absence becomes part of the child’s cumulative record. Elementary children are not counted absent when attending school-sponsored activities.

In the event a child needs to be dismissed during school hours, please contact the school office explaining the reason for the dismissal and the time that child is to be released. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments and trips after regular school hours or on days when children are not in school.

If excused absences become excessive, ten (10) in a school year, parents or guardians will be notified by school staff to express concern. Such notifications may be accompanied by requests for conferences aimed at improving the student’s attendance and completion of missed schoolwork.

UNEXCUSED

Absences not covered above or not approved by the school will be recorded as unexcused. Students who are suspended out-of-school or expelled shall be considered unexcused. Parents or guardians will be notified by mail, telephone, or personal contact by a staff member when any student has four (4) unexcused absences within one month or ten (10) in a school year. Parents or guardians may be requested by school staff or administrators to meet with them to develop problem-solving strategies directed towards improved attendance and the accomplishment of learning objectives.

MAKE-UP WORK

  1. Teachers may prepare work for a student who is going to miss three or more days of school. It is highly recommended the parents request the work ahead of time. This will allow the teacher time to gather assignments for students before they leave. Please give the teacher and the school office notice as soon as reasonably possible, about extended absences for your student.
  2. Make up work shall be allowed following an unexcused absence with the goal of providing the student an opportunity to keep up with the class and an incentive to attend school. However, this work will receive only partial credit, which is the consequence for an unexcused absence.

Tardy Policy

Please see District Policy information on our website ~ fortmorgank12.com.

Truancy

According to Colorado law, a child who has attained the age of six years and is under the age of seventeen years must be enrolled in school. A child within this age range who has four unexcused absences from a public school in any one month or ten unexcused absences from public school during any school year will be considered habitually truant. Students who fall into this category may be turned over to the District’s legal counsel for subsequent consequences. This law is referred to as the Colorado Compulsory School Attendance Law.

A student shall be considered truant when absent without a parent/guardian excuse, signed or verbal, or if the student leaves school or a class without permission from the teacher or administrator in charge.