 Attendance Policies 2010-2011 Absences and Tardiness TRHS works hard to meet the learning needs of all our students in anatmosphere where academics and whole-child education are valued. We know that direct classroominstruction time and day-to-day interaction are critical elements needed forstudents to reach their full academic potential. We understand that there are occasionally going to becircumstances when students are unable to attend school, however, we also knowthat when a student is absent, missed instructional time is impossible toreplace. Attendance in classis an important part of the educational process and students are required to bein attendance every day school is in session. Colorado state law requires everychild between the ages of six and seventeen years of age to regularly attendschool.
Parents must call the TRHS attendance line (303-387-2002) within 48hours of a student absence in order to excuse the student absence. All absences not excused within the 48hour period will be considered unexcused and discipline consequences will beassigned.
Any tardy/absence during the first hour of the school day will require adoctor’s note to be excused. Timely attendance in class is essential for the student’s academicsuccess.
All unverified tardies must also be resolved within 48 hours. After 48 hours all tardies will bechanged to unexcused tardy if there is no verification. 3 tardies equate to one absence.
Students who accumulate 12 absences (excused or unexcused) may bewithdrawn from the course. The action would be listed as a WF(withdraw failing) grade on the student’s transcript, be calculated as a zerointo 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, orphysical, mental, or emotional disability; family emergencies; absences excusedby the principal through prior requests of parents or guardians; absencespursuant to school release permits; absences which occur when a student is incustody of a court or law enforcement authority; and any other absence approvedby the principal. Absences that do not meet these criteria will be consideredunexcused. A doctor’s note may berequested for absences.
Students with excused absences are responsible for contacting theirteachers to find out learning opportunities missed during their absence.Students are strongly encouraged to use teacher websites and email to obtaininformation regarding their missed learning. Students will have two days foreach day missed to make-up the learning information/activities missed duringtheir absence.
Excused absences are calculated on the total absences in any course. Students who accumulate 12 total absences may be withdrawn from thecourse. The action wouldbe listed as a WF (withdraw failing) grade on the student’s transcript, becalculated as a zero into the student’s GPA, and be included inathletic/activity eligibility.
Unexcused absences Unexcused absences are those with or without prior knowledge and approvalof parents but for reasons not acceptable as defined in “excused absence”definition.
Students with an unexcused absence are responsible for the learning missedduring their absence. Initially, students will receive a grade of a zero forlearning missed. Because TRHS values learning, students with an unexcusedabsence may complete the learning for a maximum of ½ credit, if completedwithin allotted time (2days per each day absent). Learning not completed within the specified time period will result in agrade of zero (nocredit).
Students who are more than 10 minutes late for any class will berecorded as unexcused absent from that class.
Students are expected to arrive at school on time (by 7:40). Absences or tardies occurring during thefirst period of the day will be considered unexcused unless a doctor’s note isprovided.
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 theabsence.
Partial Day Absence A detailed parent/guardian note is to bedelivered by the student to the Attendance Office by 7:35 a.m. the day ofpartial absence. The followinginformation should be provided: 1. Reason forthe partial absence. 2. Time ofrequested dismissal from school. 3. Approximatetime of return from appointment or indication that the student will not return. 4. Studentsleaving school for partial day absence must sign out through the attendanceoffice and receive a timed permit to leave the building. 5. All studentsare required to sign in and sign out when arriving to school late or leavingearly. The only exception is for“empty” class periods.
Absences and After School Activities Students who are not in school during the day will not be permitted toattend or participate in after school activities for that day. Students must be in school ½ day to attend or participate in activities.
Suspension Absences Per DCSD board policy, suspensions areconsidered an unexcused absence. Students will be allowed to make up thelearning missed as a result of an absence due to a suspension fornon-credit. Failure to completemake-up learning missed within one week of the student’s return to class willresult in a grade of zero. Absences due to suspension will not be calculated into a student’s totalabsences for a class.
An Attendance Task Force will operate atTRHS from 2010 onwards. Moreinformation will follow. |
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