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Attendance and Scheduling

Absences and Attendance 

We believe that regular attendance is very important in assuring a successful school experience for every student.  We also believe that establishing the habit of regular attendance early in a student’s school experience is critical.  Please avoid scheduling non-essential trips, outings, etc. during school time. The Fort Morgan County School District Re-3 has attendance policy in place which Columbine will follow (Policy JH).  This policy comes into play when a) a student has unexcused absences, or b) a student begins to accumulate a large number of excused absences.  Your cooperation in keeping us informed regarding your child’s absence is most appreciated.  If we are not notified about an absence, we will visit you and/or attempt to contact you -- in the interest of the child’s safety.  Students who attend school every day are much more likely to go to work every day as adults.  PLEASE HELP ASSURE YOUR CHILD A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE BY PROMOTING HIGH ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

EXCUSED 

We request parents or guardians notify the office by 8:30 A.M. if a child in their care will be absent or tardy that day.  Absences will be recorded as excused for a student who is ill, injured, or suffering from a mental or emotional disability with notification by the parent or guardian.  Absences will only be excused if accompanied by a note from a physician. Though excused, the absence becomes part of the child’s cumulative record. 

In the event a child needs to be dismissed during school hours, please contact the school office explaining the reason for the dismissal and the time that child is to be released.  Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments and trips after regular school hours or on days when children are not in school.

If excused absences become excessive, ten (10) in a school year, parents or guardians will be notified by school staff to express concern.  Such notifications may be accompanied by requests for conferences aimed at improving the student’s attendance and completion of missed schoolwork.  

UNEXCUSED

Absences not covered above or not approved by the school will be recorded as unexcused.  Parents or guardians will be notified by mail, telephone, or personal contact by a staff member when any student has four (4) unexcused absences within one month or ten (10) in a school year.  Parents or guardians may be requested by school staff or administrators to meet with them to develop problem-solving strategies directed towards improved attendance and the accomplishment of learning objectives.

TRUANCY

According to Colorado Law, a child who has attained the age of six years and is under the age of seventeen years must be enrolled and in attendance of school.  A child within this age range who has four unexcused absences from school in any one month, or ten absences from school during any school year will be considered habitually truant.  Students who fall into this category may be turned over to the District’s legal counsel for subsequent consequences.  This law is referred to as the Colorado Compulsory School Attendance Law.

MAKE-UP WORK

Teachers may prepare make-up work for students who have absences depending on the instruction the student will be missing.  We ask that parents give the teachers notice of at least one day when requesting your child’s make-up work.  We appreciate your calling ahead several hours before picking up your child’s work. 

Daily Schedule

Our students’ instructional day is from 7:45 a.m. to 3:33 p.m.  The daily schedule is as follows:

7:15 

Doors open. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria

7:30

First Bell rings. 

7:45

Tardy bell rings

3:33

Student dismissal

Other services offered by the school are as follows:

  • Special Education services

  • Title 1 services

  • Speech (students qualify through various types of testing)

  • Health services

  • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD)

  • Individual/small-group counseling


Please do not allow your child to arrive at school before 7:15, as students are not supervised until that time. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children the importance of being safe on the way to and from school.  Please make arrangements to have your child come home directly after school -- because of staff meetings and other activities, we cannot supervise students after 3:45.

Tardy Policy

Please see District Policy information on our website ~ fortmorgank12.com