Attendance

Attendance line: 303-982-3809

In order for students to fully benefit from Deer Creek’s educational programs, regular attendance is necessary. When students miss more than 5 days of school in a trimester, a parent/guardian may be contacted by school personnel to discuss the issue and assist in creating a plan for regular attendance. If a pattern of absences continues, families will be notified in writing of Jeffco’s attendance policy and the consequences for continued absences.

Absence or Late Arrival

To report a student’s absence or late arrival, parents or guardians are asked to record the absence in Infinite Campus Parent Portal or call the attendance line prior to the start of school by calling 303-982-3809. A recorded message will ask for the student’s name, the spelling of the last name, the date and time to be missed and the reason for the absence or late arrival.

If a student is marked absent, a parent must call within 24 hours to excuse the absence. After 24 hours, the absence is finalized as unexcused.

The following shall be considered excused absences:

A student who is temporarily ill or injured or whose absence is approved by the school administration on a prearranged basis. Prearranged absences shall be approved for appointments or circumstances of a serious nature only, which cannot be taken care of outside of school hours.
A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental, or emotional disability.
A student attending a funeral, legal obligations, medical procedures or extenuating circumstances determined by the principal.
A student attending a school sponsored activity or receiving Jeffco educational services.
A student who is suspended or expelled.
A student in out-of-home placement (as that term is defined by C.R.S. 22-32-138 (1)(h)), absent due to court appearances and participation in court-ordered activities so long as the student´s assigned social worker verifies the student's absence was for a court appearance or court-ordered activity.

The district may require suitable proof regarding the above exceptions, including written statements from medical sources.

Early Dismissal

If your student needs to be dismissed during the school day, please record the early dismissal in Infinite Campus Parent Portal or call the attendance line before arriving at the school and state when you plan to dismiss your child so that we can send an early dismissal pass to your child’s classroom. All students must be checked out by a parent/guardian with a photo ID, unless previous arrangements have been made.

Calls for early dismissal received during the school day will be handled as time allows.

Students are not allowed to dismiss themselves from classes or during passing periods. All students must be checked out by a parent, guardian or authorized person listed in the Campus parent portal unless previous arrangements have been made with the attendance secretary. A photo ID is required to sign out students during the school day.

Planned Absences

For a planned absence of three or more days to be excused, families must complete the Pre-Arranged Absence Form. This form should be completed and submitted to the school office prior to the scheduled absence. If no form is submitted, the absences will be unexcused.

Completing this form does not guarantee an excused absence as the Principal will determine if the absence is excused.

Lunch

Notification of Absence

Deer Creek uses an automated attendance system that will contact the designated parent or guardian in the evening if a student’s absence is unexcused. If you receive a call for an absence that you believe to be in error, please contact the teacher regarding the absence. If the record is incorrect, the teacher will work with the attendance secretary to change the error.

Deer Creek Middle School is a closed campus. Once students arrive at school, they will be considered “truant” if they leave without being checked out by a parent or guardian. This includes the time before school starts, after bus or car drop-off and upon arrival on foot. Behavior infractions while truant will be addressed as if the student is “on school grounds.”

Complete the Pre-Arranged Absence Form

Attendance in Jeffco

The importance of regular, daily school attendance as a basis for academic achievement cannot be overemphasized. Attendance is a shared responsibility of the student, the families and the school.

It is the family’s responsibility to ensure their student attends school and to notify the school when their student is absent for a legitimate reason, such as an illness or family emergency. Each family should also ensure their student’s school has their correct contact information so that the school is able to communicate about any attendance issues that may arise.