Attendance

  • Why Attendance Matters in D60

    At D60, it is our collective responsibility as leaders, educators, families and community members to ensure that our students not only succeed, but thrive, developing the skills and dispositions to lead lives of purpose and impact.

    One critical component of ensuring our students’ success is identifying and removing barriers that hamper or limit daily attendance. When students are not at school, they not only miss out on valuable learning opportunities but can experience long-term impacts that hinder their development in reading by third grade, achievement in middle school, and graduating from high school.

    One student’s absence also affects their peers and teacher, as classroom instruction often includes small group learning activities. For each student who is absent, teachers need to adjust plans, gather materials for make-up work, and follow up to get each student caught up. Make-up work does not replace the in-person learning activities that happen daily, and students miss out on important social-emotional development, as well as extra-curricular activities.

    Since the pandemic, attendance rates have continued to improve. Although we are on the right track, our goal is to get attendance levels back to pre-pandemic levels.

     

    Chronic Absence vs. Truancy

    What’s the difference between chronic absence and truancy?

     

    Chronic Absence:

    • Counts all absences: excused, unexcused and suspensions.
    • Emphasizes academic impact of missed days.
    • Uses community-based, positive strategies.

     

    Truancy:

    • Counts only as unexcused absences.
    • Emphasizes compliance with school rules.
    • Relies on legal and administrative solutions.

     

    Support your child's development:

    ‘Be Present, Be Powerful!’

    School start and end times vary by school. It is important for students to be on time and stay for all classes every day in order to improve academic performance and be ready for college and career opportunities.

    • Children in Colorado are encouraged to attend school from ages 4 to 18.
    • Children in Colorado must attend school from ages 6 to 16.
    • D60 students attend school Monday through Thursday.
    • D60 school years begin in August and end in May or June.
    • When your child misses school, you must notify the school’s front office.

    A student who misses 10% (the equivalent of one day per month) or more of the time enrolled in school is considered chronically absent: this can include late arrivals and early pick-ups from school.

     

    What Can Parents Do?

    There are a few practices parents can implement to help ensure their child is set up for success and attending class.

    • Communicate with the school every time your child will be late, leave early or will be absent.
    • Schedule appointments after school or on days where there are no classes.
    • Schedule vacations and trips on days when there is no school.
    • Develop a back-up plan to get your child to school if something comes up.
    • Make sure your child has healthy habits.
      • Going to bed on time, getting enough sleep and waking up on time.
      • Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.
      • Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required shots.
    • If your child seems anxious about school, talk to teachers or the school counselor.
    • Monitor your student's attendance on the Parent Portal.