Attendance Policies
Updated Policies for 2009-2010

Please call the 24 hour attendance line (303-387-1502), for school absences. There are dedicated attendance secretaries who continually monitor the attendance line, prepare release slips for students, and enter the information into Infinite Campus.

Attendance
Mountain Vista High School works hard to meet the learning needs of all 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.  In addition, the open campus policy at Mountain Vista High School, which allows upperclassmen to leave the school grounds during the academic day, will create challenges related to attendance. 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 expected to be in attendance every day school is in session. Colorado state law requires every child between the ages of six and seventeen years to regularly attend school.  Please note the following issues regarding attendance:

• Parents may excuse a student absence by calling the MVHS attendance line within 48 hours of the absence (303-387-1502).  All absences not excused within the 48 hour period will be considered unexcused and discipline consequences may be assigned.
• Any tardy during the first hour of the school day will require a doctor's note to be excused.
• Timely attendance in class is essential for academic success.  Consequently, 3 unexcused tardies to a class will equal 1 unexcused absence for that class.
• Students who are more than 10 minutes late for any class will be recorded as unexcused absent.
• Students who accumulate 5 unexcused absences may be denied credit for the course.
• Students who accumulate 12 total absences (excused or unexcused) may be denied credit for the course. The action would be recorded 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.
• In some situations, students may remain in the class and have the opportunity to recover credit that has been denied. In this case, students could potentially earn back their credit through after-school and/or Saturday study halls based on the recommendation of the Administrative Team.  

Excused Absences
Excused absence are defined as those resulting from temporary or extended illnesses, injuries, or physical, mental, or emotional disabilities; family emergencies; absences due to early release excused by the school for extra- and co-curricular activities; 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. Parents may not excuse students from class because they are not prepared, or because they need to do work for another class. MVHS may request that a doctor's note be provided. Students who are excused must leave the school and /or be off school grounds. Absences due to school sponsored events will not be calculated into a student's total absences for a class.

Students with excused absences are responsible for contacting their teachers to arrange to make up learning opportunities missed during their absences. Students are strongly encouraged to use teacher websites and email to obtain information regarding their missed work. Students will have the number of days missed plus one day to make up work missed during their absences.

Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences are those with or without prior knowledge and approval of parents or for reasons not acceptable as defined above as "excused absence."

Students with unexcused absences are responsible for learning missed during their absences. Initially, students will receive a grade of a zero for learning missed. Because MVHS values learning, students with unexcused absences can make up work missed for credit, at the teacher's discretion. Learning not completed within the specified time period will result in a grade of zero (no credit).

Student safety is a priority! MVHS 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. first and last name of parent/guardian and student
2. reason for the partial absence
3. time of requested dismissal, as well as estimated time of return
4. signature
5. Students leaving school for partial day absences must sign out through the attendance office and   r eceive a timed permit to leave the building.

Extended Absences
If a student is going to be absent from school for more than two days for any reason other than an emergency or a medical reason, that student needs to come to the Attendance Office and pick up a pre-arranged absence form. The form must be signed by all of that student's teachers and that student's assistant principal before the absences commence.

Suspension Absences
Per DCSD board policy, suspensions are considered unexcused absences. Students will be allowed to make up the learning missed as a result of an absence due to a suspension for credit. Failure to complete make-up learning missed within the guidelines for regular absences will result in a grade of zero (no credit). Absences due to suspension will not be calculated into a student's total absences for a class.

NEW ATTENDANCE AND OPEN CAMPUS POLICIES
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Attendance

What happens when my student is tardy to school?

A tardy to a student's first class of the day can only be excused with a doctor's note. This policy is consistent with the policy at Mountain Ridge Middle School.

How many tardies can my student have before receiving a discipline consequence?

The 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th, and 12^th unexcused tardy will result in an administrative consequence. Every 3 tardies will result in an unexcused absence. A student is in jeopardy of losing course credit if he/she reaches 5 unexcused absences in a given class.

What if there is inclement weather? 

Student safety is our top concern. When there is inclement weather, we expect that some students will need additional time to ensure their safe arrival. These tardies will be excused.

What if my child has to miss part of a day or a whole day?

Parents can excuse their child's absence from school with a note. However, this will still count towards a student's allotted 12 absences in that course.

The traffic line in the morning looks horrible! What happens if my student is late because the line moves slowly?

MVHS has a "grace" period during the first week of school so everyone can work the bugs out of their morning transportation plans. During this first week, students will be admitted to class and their tardies will not be counted. After the first week, we will begin to count unexcused tardies for the semester.

How many absences will it take for course credit to be in jeopardy?

Students who are absent from school miss valuable instructional time. At MVHS, a student may lose course credit if they accumulate 12 total absences or 5 unexcused absences. (3 unexcused tardies will result in an unexcused absence)

Please refer to the MVHS website for additional information on absences and tardies to school. If you have any further questions or concerns, please call the attendance office at (303) 387-1508 (A-L) or (303) 387-1509 (M-Z). Thank you for your help in getting your student to school on time!

Open Campus

What is Open Campus?

It is the school's policy that allows 12^th, 11^th, and 10^th graders to leave campus when they do not have a scheduled class or another assigned MVHS obligation (i.e. CSAP, ACT, detention).

Who has access to Open Campus privileges?

Seniors, juniors, and sophomores in good standing have open campus privileges. It should be noted that students can have their privileges revoked at any time.

When will a student with open campus privileges be allowed to leave campus?

Students with open campus privileges can leave when they do not have a class or other MVHS obligation.

Under what circumstances will a student lose the privilege to leave the campus during an open period or lunch?

Students may lose open campus privileges because of disciplinary, attendance, or academic infractions at the discretion of the administration.

What happens if a student does not get back to campus on time and is late for a class or skips a class entirely?

It is considered an unexcused tardy or unexcused absence. Students are responsible for missed work and course credit may be in jeopardy. In addition, open campus privileges can be revoked.

When a student has an open period and does not have an assigned class, where can he/she go to remain on campus?

Students can utilize either the Commons, school study hall, or the Library Media Center. Students will not be allowed in academic areas.

How long do students have for lunch?

The MVHS schedule allows students 45 minutes for lunch on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Students have 50 minutes on Wednesday and Thursday. It should be noted that no food or drink, aside from water, will be allowed in the classrooms.

What options exist for lunches if a student chooses to remain on the campus for lunch?

Lunch options at the school will include Subway, pizza (from a variety of vendors), salad bar, Berry Blend smoothies, Crowfoot coffee, Dreyer's ice cream, as well as the daily nutrition services menu.