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Attendance Policy & Procedures

Los Ranchos Attendance and Tardy Policy

Please make an effort to ensure your child(ren) attend school every day and arrive on time. This gives your child the very best opportunity to learn and be successful the entire school year.

School Schedule

  • 7:48 a.m. School Begins
  • 7:53 a.m. Tardy Bell (students are tardy)
  • 2:00 p.m. Dismissal

Excused Absences

  • Illness
  • Death in the family
  • Family emergency
  • Religious commitment

Extenuating circumstances, as agreed to by the administration prior to the absence

A parent or guardian must notify the school each day that their child will be absent. In order for the absence to be excused, the front office requires proper documentation. In the case of excessive excused absences, the school may request additional documentation.

Leaving Early

We understand that medical appointments cannot be avoided. However, we ask that you try and schedule appointments after the school day ends (2:00 p.m.). This allows your child to remain in school the entire day, which means they won't miss out on important instructional time. If you must schedule a medical appointment during school hours, we ask that your child return to school, following their appointment.

If you must pick up your child from school early, please do so before 1:45 p.m. Students will not be dismissed after 1:45 p.m. No exceptions. Documentation will be required when leaving early.

Dismissal

School ends at 2:00 p.m. and students must be picked up on time. If a student is on campus after 2:15 p.m., APS police may be contacted. Students are not to be in the front office. We offer 3 options for students to get home. Blue Gate, Bus, or Parent Pick-Up. As a reminder, we offer after-school programs in the school cafeteria. Please see the front office for more information about after school programs.

Attendance Procedures

In order to make sure your child(ren) are getting the most out of their education, the following procedures have been put into place to address attendance:

Unexcused Absences:

  • Four (4) Unexcused Absences: Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be contacted by the student’s teacher and reminded of the importance of regular attendance.
  • Seven (7) Unexcused Absences: Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be contacted by the Family Liaison, notified of days absent and discuss barriers to attendance.
  • Ten (10) Unexcused Absences: Health and Wellness meeting will be scheduled. The purpose of this meeting is to work with families to overcome barriers to attendance and will include parent(s)/guardian, the Principal, the School Counselor, the student’s Teacher(s), the Family Liaison and the other staff as needed.
  • Eleven (11+) Unexcused Absences: CYFD may be contacted by school staff, as chronic absenteeism, that is 10 or more absences, is considered Educational Neglect.

Excused Absences:

Missing 10 or more school days - whether excused or unexcused - is considered chronic absenteeism. Therefore, if your child has been absent for 10 or more days, for any reason, a school staff member will reach out to the parent/guardian, just to ensure we are doing everything possible to support your child’s education and overall well-being.*

*A Health and Wellness Meeting may be scheduled, if needed to support the student.

Tardies:

  • Five (5) Tardies: Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be contacted by the student’s teacher.
  • Ten (10) Tardies: Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will receive a phone call from the Family Liaison.
  • Fifteen (15) Tardies: Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be contacted by the Principal or School Counselor.

Please Note: Health and Wellness Meetings requested for the sole purpose of addressing tardiness, will be handled on a case by case basis.