Attendance Policy

Attendance Requirements

Each student in the District is required to attend school daily as established by the calendar determined annually by the Board and in compliance with state law. Unauthorized absences will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in accompanying procedures.

Philosophy

Significant learning for all students is provided each time class is held in Weld County School District 6. This educational opportunity is the result of in class participation and quality classroom instruction. The benefits of this experience cannot be fully replaced. Consequently, regular and punctual attendance is an important criterion for success in school and absences are detrimental to effective learning.

A cooperative effort between the student, parent, School District and the community regarding attendance will result in a positive educational experience. Therefore, the following goals and guidelines have been developed to establish good attendance habits at an early age. These habits will positively transfer with the students and their parent(s)/guardian(s)/ legal custodian(s) as the student progresses through our educational program and beyond the scholastic setting.

Goals

1. To improve the attendance of elementary and secondary students.
2. To improve student achievement through improved attendance.
3. To develop attitudes and habits in students, parent(s)/guardian(s)/ legal custodian(s), and the community that reinforce the value of school and good attendance.
4. To address potential attendance problems through early intervention.

Excused Absences

Excused absences are defined as any absence from school due to temporary illness or injury, and any other reason deemed acceptable by the school administrator. In general, prior notice of absence from the student’s parent or guardian is required and the school administrator may require verification, such as a physician’s statement, when appropriate.

The following are considered excused absences when a parent notifies the school within 48 hours of the absence:
1. Temporary illness or injury. (After the total number of absences exceeds four in a month or ten absences in one school year, the absences will not be considered “temporary” and may require medical documentation or can be considered “unexcused”).
2. An absence approved by the administrator of the school on a pre-arranged basis. Approval for a pre-arranged absence(s) may necessitate a parent conference.
3. Extended absences due to physical, mental or emotional disability. Medical documentation may be required.
4. Absence(s) resulting from a school-sponsored field trip or activities of an education nature with advance approval by the school administration.
5. Absence resulting from participation in a work-study program under the supervision of the school.
6. Extremely inclement weather.
7. Emergency, serious illness, or death in the family.
8. Participation in religious observances.
9. Any absence which occurs when the student is required to be in court or in custody of the court or law enforcement authorities.

Unexcused Absences

An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that is not covered by one of the foregoing excused absences or any absence not reported to the school by a parent/guardian within 48 hours. Additionally, an unexcused absence will be recorded if a student leaves school or leaves a class without permission of the teacher or school administrator. Each unexcused absence shall be entered on the student’s record. Attempts will be made by the school staff to notify the parents or guardian of the student receiving the unexcused absence.

In accordance with law, a student is deemed “habitually truant” when he/she has attained the age of seven and is under the age of seventeen years and has four unexcused absences from public school in any month or ten unexcused absences from public school during any school year. For purposes of determining whether a student is “habitually truant,” absences due to suspension or expulsion shall not be counted in the total of unexcused absences.
When the District is aware that criteria exists to designate a student as habitually truant, the District will refer the student and his/her parent or legal guardian to the Weld County Judicial System, the Weld County Juvenile Assessment Center and/or the Weld County District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion unit.

Responsibilities for School Attendance

As open-enrolled students at Chappelow excessive absences (as determined by administration) may result in students losing this status at the end of the school year and being required to return to their home schools.