Attendance

Click here for a link to the full PHS Attendance Policy

Click here for a link to the PHS Parent Attendance Adjustment Form

Click here for a link to the PHS Extended Absence Form

Welcome to the PHS Attendance Page

 

Dear Ponderosa Parents/Guardians, 

Last year, as a staff and administrative team, we placed a renewed focus on attendance and will continue to do so in order to be in compliance with the state of Colorado’s compulsory attendance laws. Here is what the research says:

  • 1 in 3 Colorado students were chronically absent after the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • In ninth grade, attendance is actually a better predictor than test scores in regards to whether or not a student will complete high school.
  • An average of nearly 113,000 Colorado students are habitually truant during the school year. (CDE Attendance and Truancy website 2023)
  • 82% of students referred for Dropout Reduction have a history of chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of their schooling over a consistent period of time).

As we’re sure you’ll agree, being present is half the formula of being a successful high school student. Thus, if a student has an unexcused absence that has not been formally excused by a parent or guardian through the attendance office within 48 hours, a member of our administrative team will be following up to assign appropriate disciplinary action.

We love seeing every one of our students here in-building and simply ask that if they cannot be here for the full day or part of a day, that you call and excuse their absence as soon as possible.  

We appreciate your assistance!

Your PHS Admin Team

PHS Attendance Office: 303-387-4002

Attendance Reporting

All student absences must be reported by the legal guardian of the student to the attendance office. Students, even those over 18, are not allowed to call in and excuse an absence.

Full Day Absence

Please call the PHS Attendance Office at 303-387-4002 by 10:00 am if your child will be excused for the entire day. Leave a message that includes: student’s name, date, name of person calling, relationship to student and contact number. Please include a detailed reason for the absence to be approved by administration.

Early Dismissal or Late Arrival

Parents: The preferred method to excuse a student that will be leaving early or arriving at school late is via a handwritten note.

The note must be written in ink and include:

  • Student’s name/date/time of absence
  • If he or she will be returning to school (for early dismissal
  • Parent signature and contact information

A call may be left on the attendance line, but this line is only checked periodically during the day. In the case of an emergency or prompt dismissal, please call the main school line at 303-387-4000.

Students: Students must check in AND check out at the attendance office when leaving early or arriving late (this does not include arriving back at school from off hours or open campus). **Please note, freshmen DO NOT have off-campus privileges**

If a student is leaving campus during an off hour and will not be returning for scheduled classes, they must check out at the attendance office and be excused by a parent or guardian.

Early Dismissal: Illness

If a student becomes ill during the school day, they must report to the health room located in the athletic office for an early dismissal.

For guidelines for determining student attendance, please see the district guidelines

Extended Absence

If a student will be away from school for more than (3) consecutive days, other than for medical reasons, an attendance adjustment form must be submitted in advance. 

Tardies

Timely attendance in class is essential for academic success. Consequently, (4) unexcused tardies will be equal to (1) unexcused absence and result in disciplinary action. 



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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).