Attendance
This year, Meridian elementary is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. We know that the pandemic created many challenges for students, families, and our school communities. We also know that state and district policies did not change regarding attendance and that attendance has been negatively impacted across our nation. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and beyond.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.
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Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that students will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
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Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two every few weeks.
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Being late to school may lead to poor attendance and may be disruptive to other students’ learning.
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Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
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By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
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By being present consistently at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
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By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
We miss your students when they are gone and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school. If your student is going to be absent, please contact our front office at 720-972-7937. Per our Parent/Student Handbook and school district policy, parents/guardians are allowed to call in and excuse a student’s absence 5 days each semester. Additionally, a student will be considered excused based on the following:
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Doctor’s note (shared with the front office)
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Religious holiday
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Absence required by the judicial system
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School sends student home (ie: health office sends home a sick student)
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Suspension
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Written into a formal student plan (504, IEP, etc.)
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Prearranged absence (form must be filled out and turned into front office)
All other absences will be considered unexcused.
PREARRANGED ABSENCES
Family vacations are important for bonding and nurturing a whole child, but too many absences, excused or unexcused, can keep students from succeeding in school. Please do what you can to plan family trips during scheduled school breaks. If you plan to be absent, please contact the front office to fill out a Pre-Arranged Absence Form. Per district policy, absences will be excused if the student has been present for 95% or more of the time during the semester AND if the student has no academic concerns. If your student will be gone for more than 5 days, you must turn in the pre-arranged absence form at least two weeks prior to the leave of absence. A meeting may be scheduled to determine what work will need to be completed before, during, or after the absence. The excusal of future prearranged absences may depend on whether or not students met the expectations on prior prearranged absences.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.
DISTRICT POLICIES AND STATE LAWS
It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Colorado State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance requires children to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Additionally, District Policy 5020 discusses Adams 12 policy regarding student attendance.
We, the school, are required to take daily attendance and notify you when your student has an unexcused absence.
If your student has four unexcused absences in one month or ten unexcused absences in a school year, state law (22-33-104) the school is required to contact you to schedule a conference at a mutually agreeable, reasonable time to identify the barriers and supports available to you and your student. A conference is not required if your student has provided a doctor’s note, or pre-arranged the absence in writing, and the parent, student and school have made a plan so your student does not fall behind academically. If your student continues to be truant, next steps may include a district attendance improvement plan that could include being referred to truancy court.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
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Prepare for school the night before, finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
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Don’t let your student stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home. Please reference the document How Sick is Too Sick?
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Avoid appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
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Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
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Keep track of your student’s attendance in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Missing more than 9 days could put your student at risk of falling behind.
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Talk to your student about the importance of attendance.
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Talk to your students’ teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
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Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide a high-level education and place of belonging for your student.
Jason Gooding - Principal Jessie Bishop - Assistant Principal