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Hulstrom K-8 strives for excellence in academic achievement. A significant part of a student’s educational experience is derived from classroom participation, activities, discussion, and relationships. Regular and punctual daily attendance is a critical factor in a student’s ability to attain the maximum benefit from the educational process.
If your student will be absent/tardy on a school day, please call the Hulstrom attendance line prior to 8:00 a.m. on the same day of an absence or on the first day of a multiple day absence at 720-972-5418. This automated line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for you to leave a voice message to excuse your child. You may also e-mail Tracy Hilfer at tracy.r.hilfer@adams12.org. Parents/guardians will be contacted if a student is absent and not excused. Advance notice of an excused absence is greatly appreciated.
Vacations and non-emergency activities (such as medical and dental appointments) should be scheduled for days or times when students are not in school. Students will be allowed five (5) days of excused absence without documentation per semester. A parent/guardian must still contact the school to excuse the absence. Absences beyond five (5) will be considered unexcused unless proper documentation is provided. Excused absences are defined as absences caused and excused due to one or more of the following reasons: a verified illness, injury, physical, mental, and/or emotional disability; a religious observance generally recognized by an established and bona fide religious organization; an absence required by the judicial system (court, juvenile authorities, police, or similar entities); and family emergencies such as a serious illness or death of an immediate family member. Acceptable reasons for excused absences may be restricted or additional documentation may be required beyond the guidelines established by the building administrator or district attendance officer. Additional documentation requirements typically apply to students with a history of habitual truancy, including students on school attendance contracts or under truancy court orders. Please refer to the Adams 12 Year-at-a-Glance School Calendar and Hulstrom Important Dates documents for scheduled days off.
An absence which is not reported to the attendance line or office is considered unexcused. In addition, absences that are reported to the office but are due to weather conditions, car problems, and over sleeping may be considered unexcused. A student that has four (4) unexcused absences in one (1) month or ten (10) unexcused absences in a calendar year is considered habitually truant. If school and/or district intervention efforts fail, sanctions for habitual truancy may include a referral to Truancy Court or social service agency and/or the initiation of an attendance contract.
Long-term absences (3 or more days) must be approved by Hulstrom administration. A Request for Extended Absence form must be completed and submitted to the main office before the absence will be approved. Requests for absences to be excused due to vacation or for other non-emergency reasons will be approved if the student has a 95% or higher attendance rate over the prior two (2) grading periods, and if the student is otherwise meeting academic performance expectations as determined by Hulstrom administration. Hulstrom policy states that make-up work will be obtained AFTER the student returns from the absence.
Chronic absences, even if excused, as well as unexcused absences are now required to be reported to the Colorado Department of Education. A chronically absent student is defined as a student who has missed 10% or more of the school year.
For further clarification, please refer to the District Policy 5020 regarding Student Attendance.
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