Handbook

Attending school regularly helps all students, whether receiving general or special education services, develop the skills and habits they will need to succeed as adults. APS provides instruction 180 of the 365 days in a year. This provides students with limited time to learn all that is needed at each grade level so they can successfully and confidently proceed to the next school year and beyond.

The State of New Mexico requires that students between the ages of 5 and 18 attend a public or private school (including charter and alternative schools) or register with the Public Education Department if a parent is providing homeschool or be in a state institution.

Schools will provide intervention strategies to support students and help parents in getting their student to school each day.

• The State of NM and APS define a student with 5 unexcused absences as a Student in Need of Early Intervention Services.
• The State of NM and APS define a student with 10 unexcused absences as a Habitual Truant
• The State of NM and APS may report students who are defined as habitual truants and for whom interventions have not been successful in improving attendance to Juvenile Probation for additional intervention. Juvenile Probation may forward the case to the District Attorney where the parent may face fines or possible jail time.

Excessive absences are defined as more than 5 days in a semester or 10 days in a school year.

• Schools may request documentation in order to excuse absences in excess of 5 days in a semester or 10 days in a year.
• Schools will support students with interventions to help stop excessive absences.

Schools will do what they can to minimize absences.

• School-related activities that take a student out of class will not count toward excessive absence totals
• Schools will not allow more than 10 school-related absences per class per semester
• Schools may not suspend students for excessive excused or unexcused absences.
• Schools may withdraw for absences only if the parent has not contacted the school, and the school cannot reach the student or family to provide support. It is understood that sometimes families may need support to help their child be successful. School staff can assist with locating possible resources within the school community.

Please notify the school each day your child is absent even if you know he or she will be absent for multiple days. Check with your child’s school to determine the best way to let them know about your child’s absence(s).

If your child needs to leave school early for any reason, please notify the school and follow the school’s rules for early dismissal.

Absences may be excused for the following reasons with appropriate documentation:

• illness, which prevents a child from being at school (including chronic illness documented on a health plan, IEP or 504 plan)
• Limited family emergencies; family deaths
• Medical, health or legal appointments
• Suspensions
• Religious commitment
• College visit for 12th grade students or other students with principal approval
• Deployment of a military parent as defined in the “Military Children” procedural directive
• Limited extenuating circumstances as approved in advance by the school principal

At least ten (10) days for students who provide documentation of the birth of the student’s child and parentage. Additional excused absences to the student after the birth of the child if deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician.

An additional four (4) days for the students who provide appropriate documentation of pregnancy or that the student is the parent of a child under the age of thirteen needing care. Absences will be unexcused for the following reasons:

• Illness of another sibling, parent or family member that is not an emergency.
• Family activities or trips during the school day. APS understands that life is sometimes complicated and seeks to support academic success for every student.

Please reach out to the staff at your child’s school if you are having problems getting your son or daughter to school on time.

Student dress and grooming is to reflect high standards of personal conduct so that each student’s attire promotes a positive, safe and healthy atmosphere within the school.

Schools may customize their individual dress codes to address the needs and standards of their communities and neighborhoods through use of a process that ensures input from students, parents, faculty, and staff of the school, and other interested community members.

Some schools have adopted student dress policies in addition to the regular dress code.

All schools that have adopted a uniform dress code policy also allow students to wear:

• “Docker” style pants in black, navy or khaki color; and
• Solid color Polo style shirts in white, light blue, dark blue or green
• Schools may accept other colors of pant and shirt styles as well.

No student shall miss instructional class time for the first two weeks of the school year or within the first two weeks of the student’s date of enrollment (whichever is later) because they do not have a school uniform. However, the student’s dress must meet the regular dress code as outlined above. If your family cannot provide a school uniform, please let the school know and they will support you.

Students and their parents/guardians have the responsibility to be aware of the school-specific dress codes and must conform to those requirements.

The responsibility to interpret and enforce the dress code policy rests with each school principal.