Student Attendance
24-Hour Attendance Phone Line: 970-348-5407 or 970-348-5414 or d6whs_attendance@greeleyschools.org
Each student in the district is required to attend school daily as established by the calendar determined annually by the Board and in compliance with state law. Unauthorized absences shall be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in accompanying procedures. A cooperative effort between the student, parent, district and the community regarding attendance fosters a positive educational experience. Therefore, the following goals and guidelines have been developed to establish good attendance habits.- Excused Absences
- Unexcused Absences
- Tardiness
- Attendance Plan and Attendance Court
- Phone Calls - Student Attendance
Excused Absences
Excused absences are defined as any absence from school due to temporary illness or injury and any other reason deemed acceptable by the school administrator. In general, prior notice of absence from the student’s parent or guardian is required and the school administrator may require verification, such as a physician’s statement, when appropriate. After the equivalent of 10 days of absences, parents must provide verification, such as a physician’s statement, in order to excuse subsequent absences.
Parents have 48 Hours to contact the GWHS Attendance Secretary in order to an excuse an absence for any of the reasons listed above. As GWHS receives over 200 attendance calls per day, please leave a message at 348-5400 in order for our secretary to change the attendance in Infinite Campus. The attendance secretary will not return phone calls unless additional information is needed.
- 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. Prearranged absences shall be approved for appointments or circumstances of a serious nature only which cannot be taken care of outside of school hours. Approval for a pre-arranged absence(s) may necessitate a parent conference.
- A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental or emotional disability. Medicla documentation may be required.
- A student who is pursuing a work-study program under the supervision of the school.
- A student who is attending any school-sponsored activity or activities of an educational nature with advance approval by the administration.
- A student who is suspended or expelled.
If a student needs to check-out during the school day for an appointment, parents are asked to come into the main office to speak to the attendance secretary so that a pass can be sent down to excuse the student from class.
Parents have 48 Hours to contact the GWHS Attendance Secretary in order to an excuse an absence for any of the reasons listed above. As GWHS receives over 150 attendance calls per day, please leave a message at 348-5400 in order for our secretary to change the attendance in Infinite Campus. The attendance secretary will not return phone calls unless additional information is needed.
Unexcused Absences
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An unexcused absence is defined as an absence that is not covered by one of the situations explained on the last slide.
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Students will be marked “extended tardy” if they are more than 10 minutes late to a class. The extended tardy code will be counted on attendance as an unexcused absence.
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An unexcused absence shall be recorded if a student leaves a school or leaves a class without permission of the teacher or school administrator. Each unexcused absence shall be entered on the student’s record. The parents/guardians of the student receiving an unexcused absence shall be notified on Infinite Campus and by a phone call of the unexcused absence.
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In accordance with law, the district may impose academic penalties which relate directly to classes missed while unexcused. Penalties may include a warning, school detention or in-school suspension. Academic penalties, out-of-school suspensions or expulsion shall not be imposed for any unexcused absence. The maximum number of unexcused absences a student may incur before judicial proceedings are initiated to enforce compulsory attendance is 10 during any calendar year or school year.
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Make-up work will be provided for any class in which a student has an excused absence unless otherwise determined by the building administrator. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up any make-up assignments on the day he/she returned to class. There shall be two days allowed for make-up work for each day excused absence. Make-up work may be allowed following an unexcused absence with the goal of providing the student an opportunity to keep up with the class and an incentive to attend school. Make-up work following an unexcused absence may only receive partial or may not receive any credit.
Tardiness
Tardy Interventions
In order to combat tardiness, the following policies will be in place:
- A one minute warning bell will sound prior to the start of each class. When that bell rings, students will be expected to move to class to avoid being late. Students will be asked to leave vending machines, water fountains, and end conversations at this time.
- Students who are not in their seat when the bell sounds to start class, they will be marked as tardy by the teacher.
- Administration will pull data on tardiness on a weekly basis. If a student is found to be habitually tardy to class, students will serve a lunch detention or other interventions.
Attendance Plan and Attendance Court
When a student has reached the equivalent of four days of absences from school in any month or ten days of absences during any school year, the school shall either require a meeting or other form of communication between the student’s parent/guardian and appropriate school personnel to review and evaluate the reasons for the student being habitually absent from school.
A plan may be developed for the student with the goal of assisting the student to remain in school. The student’s parent/guardian may participate with school personnel in the development of the plan.
The district may require suitable proof regarding the above exceptions, including written statements from medical sources. When the district is aware that criteria exist to designate a student as habitually truant, the district shall refer the student and his or her parent/guardian to the Weld County Judicial System, Youth and Family Connections and/or the Weld County District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion Unit.
Phone Calls - Student Attendance
High rates of student attendance is highly correlated with good grades, higher student achievement, and a more positive connection to school. To help support higher rates of attendance, teachers, counselors, and staff members are expected to...
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Make prompt phone calls home at 3, 5, 7, and 10 days of unexcused absences.
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A list of students to call is provided in the “Attendance Calls” folder that is shared with all staff. It is updated weekly.
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Check their personalized call sheet at the beginning of each week and are required to make the phone calls that are listed within the week.
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3rd and 7th period teachers will make attendance calls for 3 days and 7 days of unexcused absence.
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Counselors and Support Staff will make the attendance call for 5 days of unexcused absence.
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The attendance liaison will make the attendance call for 10 days of unexcused absence and will follow through on any further steps regarding truancy.
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Note: The attendance calls listed on the personalized Attendance Calls sheet are the minimum requirement. Teachers and staff are encouraged to make more attendance calls as they see fit.
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The attendance records for all of the teacher’s students are provided on the second tab of the personalized Attendance Calls sheet.