2026-2027 Student Handbook

Student Attendance

In compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Adams 12 Five Star Schools strictly enforces attendance. The district expects a 95% daily attendance rate. This includes being in attendance throughout the school day, as well as arriving at school on time every day.

A tardy is defined as the student entering school after the scheduled start time and is considered a disruption to the learning environment. Instruction begins promptly each day and important learning may be missed when your child is tardy. Excessive absences and tardies may result in consequences at the discretion of school officials.

If your child is going to be absent, you need to call the office, even if you have reported it to the teacher. The 24-hour attendance line is 720-972-5458.  All absences and known tardies should be called in.  District Attendance Policy allows five excused absences per semester with communication from the parent/guardian. If your child is missing school due to a doctor's appointment, please bring in a note from the physician so we can excuse the absence. Any absence beyond the five given per semester will also require a doctor's note. If at all possible, please try to schedule appointments outside the school day. Students are considered tardy if they are not in their seats ready to learn at 7:50 am.

District Policy 5020 provides specific guidelines regarding student attendance. 

Early Departure/Late Arrival

Students who must leave school during regular school hours must be signed out through the office by a parent or legal guardian. A student may not be dismissed from their classroom until someone has signed the student out. Students cannot be released to leave school alone. Students are involved in instruction until the end of the school day.

We request that you do not pick your students up early unless it is extremely necessary. Students who arrive late to school must check in at the office. If the student arrives after 8:00 a.m., a parent/guardian must sign them in at the front desk.

Students will not be released for early pickup after 2:25 p.m. To avoid delays and ensure a smooth dismissal process, please plan to pick up your child before this time if an early checkout is necessary.

For student safety, students will not be called from class until a parent or authorized guardian has arrived in the office and completed the sign-out process.

Multiple Absent Days

Vacations or non-emergency activities should be scheduled for days or times when students are not in school. Reasonable 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 school administration. District Policy 5020 6.6

Once you know your child will miss multiple days of school, please complete an Adams 12 Vacation Notification Form and email it to Mishel.Reilly@adams12.org.

The Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) Program serves elementary students ages 5 and older. BASE is an optional, fee-based extracurricular program designed to provide students with a safe and engaging environment outside of regular school hours.

Enrollment is limited, and many BASE programs maintain waiting lists due to space availability and required staff-to-student ratios.

Students participating in the BASE Program engage in a variety of activities that encourage creativity, learning, and personal growth. Opportunities include arts and crafts, physical activities, academic enrichment, and other engaging experiences. Through these activities, students develop important social-emotional skills while building relationships, confidence, and independence.

Find more information about our district BASE Programs

Students riding a bike or scooter to school must take it directly to the specified bike rack area and leave it there until the student is ready to return home.

For safety reasons, students are not permitted to ride their bike/scooter on school grounds. They must walk their bike/scooter to the designated bike rack area once they arrive at school.

A lock is required to be used to secure bikes and scooters to the bike rack. Bicycles and scooters will not be guarded by the school at any time, so it is the student’s responsibility to lock the bike/scooter up safely.

Birthday Treats

In support of the district’s policy on school wellness, we strive to help our students make healthy lifestyle choices. Simple steps can help children continue making healthier choices as adults. In addition to healthier lunch choices and increased physical activity during our school day, we have implemented a “non-food birthday treats” protocol. Classroom teachers will share their non-food birthday celebration information with parents. We appreciate your support in this matter.

Birthday Invitations

We understand that school is the easiest place to distribute birthday invitations; however, doing so can cause many hurt feelings which disrupt the learning environment. Please have students pass out any party invitations after school is dismissed.

There are certain basic rules that students will be expected to follow when they are in the lunchroom. 

• All food must be eaten in the lunchroom unless otherwise approved. 
• When you are finished eating, you are expected to leave the table and surrounding area clean for the next person. This includes the floor and table. 
• When you leave, take your tray to the return counter and exit the lunchroom through the assigned doors with a monitor or adult supervision.
• Remember that others are in class. Please stay away from the building and classroom windows. 
• Should a student cause a disturbance in the cafeteria or be found in the halls without permission, the student may be put on a clean-up work crew or some other similar activity. Constant misconduct may result in loss of the privilege of using the cafeteria.
• Indoor voices must be used.

Parents and guardians are welcome to join their student(s) for lunch and are asked to follow these guidelines:

• Outside food and beverages may be brought only for your student(s).
• Please treat lunchroom staff and students with courtesy and respect.
• Clean up your area before leaving the cafeteria.
• Use an appropriate voice volume to help maintain a positive lunch environment.
• Parents and guardians may eat with their student(s) in the cafeteria, provided adequate seating is available.
• For the safety and supervision of all students, parents and guardians may not attend or accompany students during recess.

The district’s policy on student cell phones and other personal technology devices (PTDs) is as follows:

• PTDs must be in the “off” or “silent” position and stored out of sight at all times during the school day, including lunch and recess.
• In non-academic settings outside the school day, including before or after school activities or on school transportation, PTDs may be used in “silent mode” provided the use of the PTD, as determined by the supervising staff member or bus driver, in no way disrupts, poses a safety concern or otherwise violates the District’s Student Code of Conduct.
• Students with an IEP/504 plan/health care plan are permitted to have access to their cell phone or other PTD in accordance with their plan.

District Policy 5030 defines the term “Personal Technology Devices” to include any privately-owned portable technology device, including but not limited to cell phones and wearable technology such as smart watches, smart glasses, wireless earbuds, and wireless headphones.

The school is not responsible for any lost, stolen or destroyed PTDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity away from campus. School administration, teachers, or staff will not investigate incidents.

Students who violate the district’s policy on student use of cell phones and other personal technology devices may be disciplined in accordance with District Policy.

Connect with your school and teachers.

The free Adams 12 Five Star Schools mobile app makes it easier than ever to stay connected with your school community. Get the latest school and district news, event updates, student highlights, and important alerts—all in one place. Learn more.

Download the app:

Field trips to nearby points of interest may be scheduled by various classroom teachers throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to resources within the community. Parents will receive notice of scheduled field trips well in advance.

Parents must sign a permission form for all field trips. Students without a permission slip will not be allowed to accompany their class on the field trip.

Students will be assigned the field trip fee to their Infinite Campus Account. You can pay this through the portal with a debit/credit card.

Free and Reduced Benefits help families and their schools.

Here's How:

• Boosts School Funding: Schools receive additional funding from the state to enhance the educational experience for all students. Your child's school can receive more than $1,100 per qualifying student, directly enhancing the educational experience for all.

• Reduces School Fees: Families can receive 50% off select fees or not have to pay them at all. These include athletic fees, course fees, and activity and field trip fees tied to the curriculum. See the Fees Schedule
• Supports High Schoolers: High school students can receive discounts and/or tuition-relief when preparing for their future; which may include course fees, post-graduation planning, scholarships, state and national testing (including SAT, ACT, AP and IB), and post-secondary enrollment.

• Access to Community Resources: Families can qualify for additional resources, such as medical, food and cash assistance, and discounted services like internet

Families must reapply for free and reduced benefits every new school year.

Learn more & apply today!

Indoor recess will be called if:

• snow, rain or sleet is falling
• temperature with the wind chill is 20 degrees or less
• playground conditions are poor (mud, snow or standing water)

Students must be prepared for all types of weather. They should bring warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, weatherproof footwear and an extra pair of shoes for PE.

If your child misplaces an item, we encourage you to look in the lost and found by the main office. Often it is difficult to identify what they have lost. Please label coats, jackets, mittens, etc.

Remaining articles are donated to a local charity at the end of each quarter. Look at our calendar for those dates.

Students are not to bring any valuables and toys to school. Items having value for one individual usually have an attractive appeal for others and unfortunately sometimes disappear. The school will not be responsible for these items. Teachers may have a special celebration which allows students to bring in a favorite game, stuffed animal, etc., but please remember, at no time is it appropriate for students to bring toy guns, toy knives, or toy weapons of any kind.

All students enrolled in Adams 12 Five Star Schools can receive a FREE breakfast and lunch. Additional items such as snacks, beverages, and extra servings of our healthy entrée and side items are available for purchase a la carte.

Access menus and/or add funds for a la carte items:

SchoolCafe Family Hub

For more information about dietary needs, wellness policy and more, visit Nutrition Services.

In an effort to keep our school feeling safe for all students and families and in accordance with District Policy 1220, only service animals and therapy dogs are permitted on school property. District policy requires prior authorization from the principal to have a therapy dog on school property. We ask that all other pets remain off school grounds during school hours. We appreciate your cooperation with this request.

Students will be provided opportunities to engage in physical education (P.E.) classes. If a student is unable to participate in P.E., the student must present to the principal or principal’s designee a statement from a licensed health care practitioner stating the reason for the student’s inability to participate. A licensed health care practitioner means a physician (MD, DO), nurse practitioner or physician assistant who has prescriptive authority and is licensed to practice in Colorado.

Your child’s progress will be reported at individual parent conferences at least twice a year. Report cards are sent home at the end of each grading period. Academic progress can also be found via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

In our ongoing efforts to provide the safest and most secure environment for our students, an additional security measure has been installed, which requires the following safety measures.

• ALL exterior doors will be locked at all times.
• Please do not open the door or hold the door open for others.
• In order to enter the building, you will need to press the button located [describe location of button for school entry].
• An office member will release the doors, allowing access to the building.
• Once entering the building, ALL visitors must check in at the office, show ID, and obtain a visitor pass.
• If you would like to wait with your child before school or wait for your child after school, you will need to wait outside.

Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. It is imperative that students are dropped off no earlier than 7:40 a.m. and picked up at 2:35 p.m. Adult supervision is only available 10 minutes before and after these times.

Please help us keep students safe:

• Always use sidewalks and crosswalks.
• The Hug and Go lane is located on the West side of the school for drop off and pick up only! No parking in the Hug and Go.
• Avoid picking up or dropping off students in the parking lots.
• Avoid parking within 15 feet of school crosswalks.
• Parents should encourage children to adhere to all safety rules established for pedestrians. This emphasis on safety is also a concern of the school’s staff, and is an important part of the instructional program.
• Students are expected to go directly to and from school. They are to respect the rights and property of all people in the neighborhood.
• Obey the speed limit in our school zone.
• STOP and yield to all pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Departure Procedures 

Students being picked up at school:

Students may only exit via their designated doors. Grade levels will communicate this to students and parents. Students in BASE or extracurricular activities must directly report to BASE or the extracurricular activities. Staff will assist K-2 students. Students and parents are not able to re-enter the building.

Students taking the bus:

Students taking a bus must line up at the appropriate sign and stay by the sign. Staff are present to assist and ensure safety. Parents must communicate with the main office if their child is/isn’t taking their assigned bus. Student should ensure they have their bus ID's when getting on the bus.

District Policy 1200 requires that all parents and visitors must present a physical driver's license/I.D. at the front desk and sign in at the office upon entering the building. Your license will be scanned through our Raptor system and a visitor’s badge/sticker will be provided. You will be asked to wear a visitor’s badge/sticker at all times.

If you would like to spend time with a teacher, please call and make arrangements prior to visiting. Also, if anyone other than a parent or legal guardian will be visiting the school (such as a grandparent coming for lunch), you must call the office ahead of time to let us know.

In the event of bad weather, Adams 12 Five Star Schools uses a variety of resources to determine if conditions exist that warrant a 1-hour delayed start or closure of schools.

Every effort will be made to announce a decision by 5:30 a.m. to close or delay opening schools. 

Alerts are ONLY sent if schools are closed or operating on a 1-hour delay. If schools are operating on a normal schedule you will not receive an alert.

Learn more about the district’s 1-Hour Delay and School Closure process.