Attendance Policy
Students are required by State Law to attend school every day unless excused. Regular school attendance not only helps build good work and study habits, but also greatly benefits the student in relationship to the learning process. A student can never make up a day missed even though she or he may go over the assignments that were presented. The discussions and experiences that take place in the classroom are often more valuable than the written material.
Please, if possible, do not schedule family vacations during the school year, as your son or daughter will be missing valuable instructional time that, once lost, cannot be regained. We also recognize that sometimes families do not have choices in vacation time, so we will certainly work with you if that is your situation.
Excused Absences
An excused absence is one deemed by the school to be legitimate. Make-up work will be allowed for an excused absence and credit will be given. Typically, absences shall be excused under the following conditions if (from District Policy):
1. The student is ill or injured and may be expected to return to school within a reasonable length of time, as determined by the building principal, or for medical or dental appointments.
2. The student receives approval from the principal or his/her designee in advance of the absence for good cause, or receives approval after the absence in the case of emergencies such as sudden illness or death within the family.
3. The student is participating in religious observances as described in “Guidelines for Religious Observances,” published and approved by the school district.
4. The student is attending a District-sponsored activity.
5. The student is temporarily in the custody of the court or law enforcement authorities or is required to appear in court.
6. The student has been suspended from school.
Unexcused Absences - Truancy
An unexcused absence is any absence that does not fall under the above qualifications for excused absences. Unexcused absences are subject to a variety of consequences and interventions. An unexcused absence, which may be from a single class or multiple classes, is one that the school does not approve but the parent/guardian knows about. Examples of absences which are unexcused include, but are not limited to such reasons as babysitting, oversleeping, working, a family trip, or missing the bus or ride. An absence not properly reported by the parent or guardian is unexcused unless circumstances warrant otherwise. Truancy is when neither school nor parents/guardians know of the absence. All unexcused absences will be recorded as such. Once a student exceeds 10% of their enrolled days, a letter of concern will be mailed home. If further unexcused absences persist, the student will be referred to the Attendance Review Team (ART). The purpose of the Attendance Review Team is to work with the student and parents to help find solutions to increase school attendance.
Absences, Tardies and Excuses
When a student is absent from school for illness or for other reasons, a parent or guardian should inform the school by 7:25 a.m. on the morning of the absence. We have a recorder to handle your calls. You may call the School Attendance number (490-3087) at any time. If we do not receive a call by 9:00 a.m., the school will be calling the parent/guardian to check on the reason for the absence. In addition, a written note excusing the absence may be requested.
Tardy Policy
Punctuality is a valuable life skill, and CLPMS students are expected to be on time. Any student who is late arriving to school in the morning or will be late to any class period, must report to the front/attendance office to receive a pass to class. Excused tardies may include: doctor or dental appointments, a late bus or other circumstances. Sleeping through an alarm, because one was up late the night before, running errands, missing the bus, babysitting, talking in the halls, etc. are not excused tardies. In order to receive an excused tardy pass, a student must have a written note signed by a parent or guardian, a phone call indicating the tardy is for an excusable reason, or a pass from a teacher. After every third unexcused tardy, the student will receive one lunch detention. After every twelve unexcused tardies, the student will receive after school detention on a Tuesday or Thursday 2:30-3:00PM. Further unexcused tardiness may result in a teacher/ parent/ guardian/ administrator conference and a behavior contract. Tardies accumulate through a month and reset at the beginning of each month.
Make-up Work
Students shall have two school days for every day of excused absence to make up missed work, generally not to exceed ten school days. This only applies to classes that are missed due to absences. If a student is present when assignments and assessments are given/presented, the student is responsible for being prepared on time. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up work and schedule times to make up quizzes and tests. This means that students need to take the initiative and time to communicate with their teachers. Email is always a good first step.
Pre-arranged Absences
Prior to a prearranged absence, a student must obtain a prearranged absence form from the Attendance Office and initiate a request for assignments from each teacher. Students shall have a choice of completing assignments prior to the prearranged absence, or have one day for each day absent to make up the work, generally not to exceed ten school days. We ask that you please make arrangements with specific teachers, especially if a long term project has been assigned to be worked on during the absence. If the reason for an absence is a school-sponsored trip, work is expected to be turned in before the student leaves for the trip.
As well as notifying the teachers you will need to call the attendance line, either the automated line at 970-490-3087,
or contact the Attendance Clerk directly at 970-488-7405.
Homework Requests
For students who have been absent one or two days, Teachers will provide make-up work upon the students’ return. For absences of three or more days, our preferred method for obtaining assignments is to first check their Google Classroom for teachers who utilize it, and email those who do not. Teachers will be checking email daily. For those without internet/email access, contact the Front Office. Please give 24 hours advance notice to the office to allow adequate time to gather assignments.
For questions about Attendance please contact:
Ms. Bredehoft (cbredeho@psdschools.org)