Attendance Policies
These are the New Policies for 2009-2010
Please call the 24 hour attendance line 303-387-2002, for any attendance
issues, including absences, late arrivals and early releases. There
is a dedicated attendance secretary who continually pulls off the messages,
prepares release slips for students and enters the information into
Infinite Campus. Please trust that it is indeed faster and more accurate
than calling the general 3000 number. If you have an extreme attendance
emergency ?
ATTENDANCE
ThunderRidge High School works hard to meet the learning needs of all our students in an atmosphere where academics and whole-child education are valued. We know that direct classroom instruction time and day-to-day interaction are critical elements needed for students to reach their full academic potential. We understand that there are always going to be circumstances when students are unable to attend school, however, we also know that when a student is absent, missed
instructional time is impossible to replace. Attendance in class is an important part of the educational process and students are required to be in attendance every day school is in session. Colorado state law requires every child between the ages of six and seventeen years of age to regularly attend school.
Parents must call the TRHS attendance line (303-387-2002) within 48 hours of a student absence in order to excuse the student absence. All absences not excused within the 48 hour period will be considered unexcused and discipline consequences will be assigned. Any tardy/absence during the first hour of the school day will require a doctor's note to be excused. Timely attendance in class is essential for the student's academic success. Students who accumulate 12 absences (excused or unexcused) may be withdrawn from the course. The action would be listed as a WF (withdraw failing) grade on the student's transcript, be calculated as a zero into the student's GPA, and be included in athletic/activity eligibility.
Excused absence
An excused absence is defined as a temporary or extended illness, injury, or physical, mental, or emotional disability; family emergencies; absences excused by the principal through prior requests of parents or guardians; absences pursuant to school release permits; absences which occur when a student is in custody of a court or law enforcement authority; and any other absence approved by the principal. Absences that do not meet these criteria will be considered unexcused. A doctor's note may be requested for absences.
Students with excused absences are responsible for contacting their teachers to find out learning opportunities missed during their absence. Students are strongly encouraged to use teacher websites and email to obtain information regarding their missed learning. Students will have two days for each day missed to make-up the learning information/activities missed during their absence.
Excused absences are calculated in the total absences in any course. Students who accumulate 12 total absences may be withdrawn from the course. The action would be listed as a WF (withdraw failing) grade on the student's transcript, be calculated as a zero into the student's GPA, and be included in athletic/activity eligibility.
Unexcused absences
Unexcused absences are those with or without prior knowledge and approval of parents but for reasons not acceptable as defined above in "excused absence" definition.
Students with an unexcused absence are responsible for the learning missed during their absence. Initially, students will receive a grade of a zero for learning missed. Because TRHS values learning, students with an unexcused absence may complete the learning for a maximum of ½ credit, if completed within allotted time (2 days per each day absent). Learning not completed within the specified time period will result in a grade of zero (no credit).
Students who are more than 10 minutes late for any class will be recorded as unexcused absent from that class.
Students are expected to arrive at school on time (by 7:35). Absences or tardies occurring during the first period of the day will be considered unexcused unless a doctor's note is provided.
Student safety is a priority! TRHS does not approve of "ditch days" in any form. All students absent during "ditch days" will be considered unexcused unless a doctor's note is presented to excuse the absence.
PARTIAL DAY ABSENCE
A detailed parent/guardian note is to be delivered by the student to the Attendance Office by 7:35 a.m. the day of partial absence. The following information should be provided:
1. Reason for the partial absence.
2. Time of requested dismissal from school.
3. Approximate time of return from appointment or indication that the student will not return.
4. Students leaving school for part day absence must sign out through the attendance office and receive a timed permit to leave the building.
ABSENCES AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Students who are not in school during the day will not be permitted to attend or participate in after school activities for that day. Students must be in school 1/2 day to attend or participate in activities.
Suspension Absences
Per DCSD board policy, suspensions are considered an unexcused absence. Students will be allowed to make up the learning missed as a result of an absence due to a suspension for non-credit. Failure to complete make-up learning missed within one week of the student's return to class will result in a grade of zero. Absences due to suspension will not be calculated into a student's total absences for a class.
