Come Ready to Learn
Daily attendance at school is an important part of student success. Students are to arrive at school each day on time, ready to learn. It is difficult to replace the learning that occurs in the classroom through the exchange of ideas with study outside the classroom. Excessive absences and/or tardiness, whether excused or unexcused, may have a negative effect on a student's learning and grades. Attendance is taken every school day at 8:45 a.m.
Absences
It is important for you to notify the school office at 719-234-4100 or by email at ates-attendance@asd20.org if your student will be absent. If your child is going to miss school for more than one day, you may request homework assignments from the teacher by sending an email to the teacher. Teachers require a 24-hour notice to gather homework and other assignments for a student.
Illness
How sick is too sick? Read the latest guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health on our Health Services page.
Extended and Planned Absences
Extended absences require a pre-arranged absence notification approved by a building administrator. The form is available in the office; contact the office for the current website copy. If approval is not granted, the absence is recorded as pre-arranged and unexcused, but make-up work is still allowed.
Excused and Unexcused Absences
Excused absences include principal- or designee-approved absences, temporary illness or injury, extended absences due to physical, mental or emotional disabilities, and absences while in court or law enforcement custody. Other absences are unexcused. A doctor’s note is required after the fifth absence for medical reasons; the absences do not need to be consecutive.
Attendance Concerns
Habitual truancy is defined as four unexcused absences in a month or ten in a school year. A student absent for 10% of a quarter, including excused absences, may be identified as chronically absent. The district works with families to improve attendance and partners with local juvenile courts when needed.
Tier 1: The teacher contacts the family about patterns of tardiness, early checkout or absences and the effect on learning.
Tier 2: If the pattern continues, administration sends a Notice of Concern.
Tier 3: Continued concerns lead to an attendance meeting, Attendance Contract and weekly progress monitoring. Non-compliance may lead to truancy proceedings.
Missed Schoolwork
For pre-arranged absences, request assignments from the teacher with at least 24 hours’ notice. Students receive one extra school day for each day missed to complete make-up work.
Late Arrival
After the 8:45 a.m. bell, a parent or guardian must accompany the student through the front entrance, sign in at the office and give a reason for tardiness. The student receives a late-arrival slip for the teacher.
Early Pickup
Call the office at least 10 minutes before arriving. An adult with legal authority to pick up the child must enter the office and sign the student out. The adult must be listed in Infinite Campus under Primary, Secondary or Non-Household Relationships and present current photo identification, such as a driver’s license or military ID.