JH – Student Absences and Excuses

One 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, therefore, regular and punctual patterns of attendance shall be expected of each student. 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. All students in grades kindergarten through 12 are expected to attend school for the academic year unless they fulfill all requirements for graduation at an earlier date. Excused Absences The following shall 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 pre-arranged basis. Pre-arranged absences shall 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 physical, mental or emotional disability.
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 absent in observance of an established religious holiday.
6. A student whose absence is approved by the building principal at the request of the parent or guardian.
7. A student who is suspended or expelled.

The District may require suitable proof regarding the above exceptions, including written statements from medical sources. If a student in an out-of-home placement (as that term is defined by C.R.S. § 22-32-138(1)(e), is absent due to court appearances and participation in court-ordered activities, such absences shall be excused. The student's assigned social worker shall 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. Continued unexcused absences and/or repeated tardiness may be considered cause for disciplinary action. In accordance with law, the District may impose appropriate penalties that relate directly to classes missed while unexcused. Penalties may include a warning, school detention or in-school suspension. Academic penalties, out of school suspensions and expulsions shall not be imposed for any unexcused absence. The administration shall develop procedures to implement appropriate penalties, and may consider the correlation between course failure, truancy and a student dropping out of school in developing procedures, and may implement relevant strategies to re-engage students with a high number of unexcused absences. Students and parents/guardians may petition the Board of Education for exceptions to this policy or the administrative procedures provided that no exception shall be sustained if the student fails to abide by all requirements imposed by the Board as conditions for granting any such exception. When a student returns to school after a period of absence, a note signed by one of his parents should be sent which indicates that the student was absent with their permission. The note must contain the parent's full name, the date and the number of days the student was absent. In schools where personal calls are made to check on absences, the note may not be required. A "dropout" is a person who leaves school for any reason before completion of a high school diploma, or its equivalent, and who does not transfer to another public or private school or enroll in a home-based education program (home school) pursuant to Colorado statute, and as evidenced by "adequate documentation" described in the Colorado Code of Regulations, 1 CCR 2.01(1). The maximum number of unexcused absences a student may incur before judicial proceedings are initiated to enforce compulsory attendance is 10 days in a calendar or school year. Make-Up Work In an effort to re-engage the student in school and in his/her learning, make-up work shall 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 he returns to class. The building administration will determine timelines for completion of any make-up work and will notify the student accordingly. Make-up work shall be allowed following an unexcused absence or following a student's suspension from school with the goal of providing the student an opportunity to keep up with the class and an incentive to attend school. This work may receive full or partial credit to the extent possible as determined by the building administrator. Unless otherwise permitted by the building administrator, make-up work shall not be provided during a student's expulsion. Rather, the District shall offer alternative education services to the expelled student in accordance with state law. The District shall 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/guardians shall be notified of all penalties regarding tardiness. In an unavoidable situation, a student detained by another teacher or administrator shall not be considered tardy provided that the teacher or administrator gives the student a pass to enter the next class. Teachers shall honor passes presented in accordance with this policy. The provisions of this policy shall be applicable to all students in the District, including those above and below the age for compulsory attendance as required by law.

Cross References:	JF - Admission and Denial of Admission
	JF-R - Admission and Denial of Admission (Procedures for Students in Out-of-Home Placements)
	JFC - Student Withdrawal from School/Dropouts
	JHB - Unexcused Absences/Truancy
	JK - Student Discipline
	JKD-1 - Suspension or Expulsion of Students
	JLIB - Student Dismissal Precautions

Legal References:	C.R.S. § 22-14-101, et. seq. (Dropout Prevention and Student Re-Engagement)
	C.R.S. § 22-32-105(3)(d)(III) (wrong citation)
	C.R.S. § 22‑32‑109 (1)(n),(w) (Board of Education - Specific Duties - Length of School Year, Instruction & Contact Time)
	C.R.S. § 22-32-109.1 (2)(a) (Board of Education - Specific Duties - Conduct and Discipline Code)
	C.R.S. § 22-32-138(6) (Excused Absence Requirement for Students in Out-of-Home Placements)
	C.R.S. § 22‑33‑101 et seq. (School Attendance Law of 1963)
	C.R.S. § 22-33-203 (Educational Alternatives for Expelled Students)
	1 CCR 301-67, Rule 2.01(7) (Dropout - Definition)
	1 CCR 301-78 Rules 1.00 et. seq. (Standardized Calculation for Student Attendance and Truancy)

Adoption Date: November 10, 2008 Last Revised: September 10, 2012