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Boulder High School Attendance Policy

Definition of Excused Absences

Boulder Valley School Board Regulation JED-R defines excused absences as those due to temporary illness or injury, and any other reason deemed acceptable by the principal. The principal [or designee] has the authority to determine whether an absence is excused or unexcused.

Excused absences include:

1. Temporary illness or injury.
2. An absence which is approved by the administrator of the school.
3. Extended absences due to physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Documentation from the care provider is required.
4. An absence which occurs when the student is in the custody of court or law enforcement authorities.
5. Emergency, serious illness or death in the family.
6. Medical and dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside the regular school day. Documentation from care provider is required.
7. Extremely inclement weather.
8. Absences directly related to the primary handicapping condition of an identified handicapped student.
9. Participation in religious observances.
10. An absence resulting from participation in a work/study program, field trip or athletic competition under the supervision of the school.

Single Period Absences

Documentation for single period absences during a particular school day is required.

Prearranged Absences

If your student will be absent for any reason other than the 10 listed above:

• Students must complete a pre-arranged absence form (available from the Main Office)
• Failure to complete the form prior to the absence will result in an unexcused absence
• Forms are available from an Assistant Principal
• Forms are to be signed by all of student's teachers
• Forms are to returned to and approved by an Assistant Principal

To Excuse an Absence

A parent or guardian must call the Attendance Office, 720-561-5300, on the day of the absence. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence. At this time, the parent must state the reason for the absence. Parents may only excuse the absence for the ten reasons listed above. If it is not possible to call the day of the absence, a call must be made within two days after the absence or it will remain unexcused. Written notes will not be accepted to excuse an absence. Note: All other absences are considered unexcused. These absences can result in loss of credit which may delay graduation.

Tardies

Teachers are responsible for monitoring tardies as a classroom management issue. Excessive tardiness may be referred to the administration for consideration as a discipline problem. A tardy of 5 minutes or more will be considered an unexcused absence.

School Notification Concerning Unexcused Absences

1. The Attendance Office will attempt to make a computerized telephone call concerning each class period missed, unless the absence has been excused. Parents and students may access attendance via Infinite Campus.
2. Upon receiving notification that their student has begun to accumulate unexcused absences in one or more classes, parents are requested to take the following steps in order to prevent students from accumulating additional unexcused absences:
   1. Be sure all excused absences are promptly called in to the Attendance Office at 720-561-5300.
   2. Request that your student take a Daily Attendance Check form to each teacher once a week. This will inform you of your student's attendance record. The form is available on the BHS website or in the Attendance Office. Students and parents may also check attendance on Infinite Campus.
   3. Contact the Boulder High School Community Liaison, at 720-961-2256 to receive attendance support.
3. With the fifth unexcused absence in any class, a form letter will be sent home giving parents notice that their student is at risk of losing credit.
4. At the end of each semester, academic sanctions (loss ofcredit) will be imposed. One credit will be lost for each unexcused absence beginning with the fifth unexcused absence.
5. Parents and students may appeal the loss of credit to an administrator if extenuating circumstances exist (documentation is required). Academic sanctions given for the fall semester can be appealed at the beginning of the spring semester. Academic sanctions imposed for the spring semester may be appealed in June. If the appeal is approved, the student may regain the credit lost during the past semester due to unexcused and excessive absences.
6. Five minutes late for a class constitutes an unexcused absence. Make-up work will be accepted according to the time limit per school policy.
7. Appointments (e.g. doctor, dentist, counselor, lawyer, court, college visitation) during the school day will need documentation to be excused.
8. Suspensions do not count as absences toward loss of credit. Credit for school work given during a suspension will be awarded as follows: 60% of the grade earned for homework, minor assignments and quizzes and 100% of the grade earned for major projects or tests.

Excessive Absence Warning

Regular attendance is essential to academic success. Students are expected to be in attendance every day that school is in session as required by law and district policy. A total of more than four absences, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, in a particular class during a semester, will be considered excessive. Once a student has aquired 4 absences in a particular class documentation will be required to excuse future absences.

Makeup Work for Absenteeism

1. Students with excused absences must make arrangements with the teacher to make up the work. The amount of time for completing makeup work is at the teacher's discretion. Work assigned prior to the absence is due on the original date or immediately upon return as per theteacher's expectations. Work assigned while the student is absent will be due as per the arrangement between the teacher and student.
2. Students with prearranged absences will be held responsible for all class information they have missed. Prearranged absences include interviews with college admissions officials, interviews with career employer representatives, special family activities, and extenuating circumstances determined by the principal [or designee]. Such absences that are not prearranged will not be excused. All homework or projects that occur during a prearranged absence must be submited to the teacher in advance, on the original due date, or immediately upon return. Pleasecheck with your teacher for his/her expectations.
3. Students with unexcused absences will receive a grade of zero for all grades recorded during the period of the unexcused absence. Nonetheless, students are responsible for the material covered during the absence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When I am absent, how and when do I make-up the work?

A: It is the responsibility for the student to talk with the teacher, upon return from the absence, to get the make-up work. The teacher will then establish a reasonable timeline for the work to be completed and turned-in. It is important that students review each teacher's make-up policies for tests and homework as classroom policies vary from teacher to teacher. The procedure for make-up work for a pre-arranged absence is delineated on the pre-arranged absence form. There is no policy that says a student has two days for every day missed to make-up work. Students are encouraged to make-up work after an unexcused absence in order to stay current academically, but no grades are issued for make-up work due to unexcused absences.

Q: If I oversleep, can that be excused?

A: No. You must use one of the four unexcused absences for oversleeping, even if it is due to a power outage or circumstances beyond your control.

Q: I want to skip a class to study for a test in a class I have later that day. Can I do that?

A: This is unethical. Students should plan their study time so that a situation like this does not arise. If you do this, you must take the unexcused absence for the class you are missing.

Q: What if I feel sick during the school day and skip a class until I feel better?

A: Students who feel ill after they arrive at school should check in to the nurse's office. A parent must also excuse the absence, but by checking into the nurse's office, the illness is documented. Single period absences for illness will not be excused unless the student has checked into the nurse's office.

Q: What if I am losing credit for a class but I want a second chance.

A: There is an appeal process. You should see the assistant principal in charge of attendance. The student should check with his/her counselor to explore other options for regaining lost credit.

Q: If I lose credit for a class, then what?

A: If you need the class for graduation, you must make the credit up in Connections, night school, or summer school. It is best to see your counselor for the best available option. If the class is an elective, you may chose whether or not you want to make-up the credit.

Q: Is it possible to pass a class and not get any credit for it even if I passed the class?

A: Yes! If you exceeded the allowable number of unexcused absences, the grade will appear on your transcript but partial or no credit will also be indicated.

Q: Why can't a parent excuse a student for any reason the parent deems appropriate?

A: The spirit of the state compulsory attendance laws and BVSD attendance policies are that students must be in school. The exceptions are listed above in the section on excused absences. Reasons other than these are not deemed valid by law and policy.