File: JH - Student Absences and Excuses File: JH - Student Absences and ExcusesOne criteria of a student's success in school is regular and punctual attendance. Frequent absences may lead to poor academic work, lack of social development and possible academic failure. Regular attendance is of utmost importance for school interest, social adjustment and scholastic achievement. No single factor may interfere with a student's progress more quickly than frequent tardiness or absence.
According to state law, it is the obligation of every parent/guardian to ensure that every child under their care and supervision receives adequate education and training and, if of compulsory attendance age, attends school.
Continuity in the learning process and social adaptation is seriously disrupted by excessive absences. In most situations, the work missed cannot be made up adequately. Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more and are more employable after leaving school. For at least these reasons, the Board believes that a student must satisfy two basic requirements in order to earn full class credit: (1) satisfy all academic requirements and (2) exhibit good attendance habits as stated in this policy.
Each year the board establishes the school attendance policy by adopting a school calendar. Secondary students are required to have actual teacher-pupil instruction and contact time of 1,056 hours and elementary students are required to have actual teacher-pupil instruction and contact time of 968 hours during each school year.
Attendance
Students are expected to enroll at the beginning of the school year, to attend regularly and to be prompt in arriving at school and at each class during the day.
Excused Absences
The following will be considered excused absences:
1. A student who is temporarily ill or injured or whose absence is approved by the administrator of the school of attendance on a prearranged basis. Prearranged absences will be approved for appointments or circumstances of a serious nature only which cannot be taken care of outside of school hours.
2. A student who is absent for an extended period due to a physical, disability or mental behavioral health disorder.
3. A student who is pursuing a work-study program under the supervision of the school.
4. A student who is attending any school-sponsored activity or activities of an educational nature with advance approval by the administration.
5. A student who is suspended or expelled.
The following may be considered excused absences at the discretion of the principal or designee:
1. Serious emergencies or hardship.
2. Family emergencies or hardship.
3. Family vacations. (While discouraged, such excuses should be prearranged at least 5 days prior to leaving with the school administration. If a student has poor attendance or poor academic performance, a principal may deny an excused absence for vacation purposes.)
4. Religious observances when requested by a parent or guardian.
5. Absence required by a legal body or social agency (court, juvenile authorities, public health department or police).
As applicable, the district may require suitable proof regarding the above exceptions, including written statements from medical sources.
If a student is in out-of-home placement (as that term is defined by C.R.S. 22-32-138 (1)(h)), absences due to court appearances and participation in court-ordered activities will be excused. The student's assigned social worker must verify the student's absence was for a court appearance or court-ordered activity.
Unexcused absences
An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that is not covered by one of the foregoing exceptions. Each unexcused absence will be entered on the student's record. The parents/guardians of the student receiving an unexcused absence will be notified orally or in writing of the unexcused absence.
Parents/guardians shall be required to furnish an explanation for student absenteeism either in writing or orally. Absences not explained within two days after returning to school shall be recorded as unexcused absences unless unusual or extenuating circumstances exist as determined by the principal.
In accordance with law, the district may impose appropriate penalties that relate directly to classes missed while unexcused. The administration will develop procedures to implement appropriate penalties. Students and parents/guardians may appeal to the Superintendent or designee for exceptions to this policy. provided that no exception will be sustained if the student fails to abide by all requirements imposed by the Superintendent or designee as conditions for granting any such exception.
The district may initiate judicial proceedings to enforce compulsory attendance laws against a student who has accumulated four unexcused absences in any one month, or ten unexcused absences during any academic year.
Make-up work
Make-up work will be provided for any class in which a student has an excused absence unless otherwise determined by the building administrator or unless the absence is due to the student's expulsion from school. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up any make-up assignments permitted on the day returning to class. There will be two day(s) allowed for make-up work for each day of absence.
Unless otherwise permitted by the building administrator, make-up work will not be provided during a student's expulsion. Rather, the district will offer alternative education services to the expelled student in accordance with state law. The district will determine the amount of credit the expelled student will receive for work completed during any alternative education program.
Tardiness
Tardiness is defined as the appearance of a student without proper excuse after the scheduled time that a class begins. Because of the disruptive nature of tardiness and the detrimental effect upon the rights of the non-tardy student to uninterrupted learning, appropriate penalties may be imposed for excessive tardiness. Parents or guardians will be notified of all penalties regarding tardiness.
Teachers shall be responsible for addressing tardiness as a classroom management issue. Excessive tardiness may be referred to the administration for consideration as an attendance problem.
In an unavoidable situation, a student detained by another teacher or administrator will not be considered tardy provided that the teacher or administrator gives the student a pass to enter the next class. Teachers will honor passes presented in accordance with this policy.
Attendance Officer
The Board shall appoint an attendance officer (building principal or designee) to assist school administrators in the enforcement of this policy and to assist in identifying the reasons for and causes of nonattendance and excessive absences.
Adopted May 18, 1981
Revised November 1990
Revised September 13, 1994
Revised August 11, 1999
Revised February 11, 2004
Revised: October 15, 2020
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(n) (length of school year, instruction & contact time)
C.R.S. 22-32-138 (6) (excused absence requirements for students in out-of-home placements)
C.R.S. 22-33-101 et seq. (School Attendance Law of 1963)
C.R.S. 22-33-105 (3)(d)(III) (opportunity to make up work during suspension)
C.R.S. 22-33-108 (judicial proceedings to enforce school attendance laws)
C.R.S. 22-33-203 (educational alternatives for expelled students and determination of credit)
1 CCR 301-78 Rules 1.00 et seq. (standardized calculation for counting student attendance and truancy)
CROSS REFS.: EBCE, School Closings and Delayed Starts
IC/ICA, School Year/School Calendar Instructional Time
JEA, Compulsory Attendance Ages
JFABE*, Students in Foster Care
JFC, Student Withdrawal from School/Dropouts
JHB, Truancy
JK, Student Discipline
JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students (and Other Disciplinary Interventions)
JLIB, Student Dismissal Precautions