Handbook

Attendance Line: (505) 881-8313, ext. 4

Albuquerque Public Schools strongly believes that daily school attendance is necessary for students to fully benefit from the instructional program. Excessive absenteeism, regardless of the reason, will negatively impact student academic achievement.

• A parent/guardian must notify the school each day that the student will be absent in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school. Only the student’s parent/legal guardian may report an absence.
• A parent/guardian shall keep the school informed of your current address and phone number for emergency notifications.
• A “Safety Call” will be sent out to the parent/legal guardian if the student is not recorded as present.
• An “absence” call will be sent out to the parent/legal guardian at 10:30 AM and again at 4:30 PM if the student still is not recorded as present.
• Absences may be excused for the following reasons with appropriate documentation:
  • Illness (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
• Limited extenuating circumstances as approved in advance by the school principal
• All absences for other reasons are unexcused, including:
  • Family vacations outside of the normally scheduled school breaks
  • Non-school sponsored activities or trips.
• Absences follow the student throughout the school year, from semester to semester and from school to school.
• The parent/legal guardian of those students who reach the two (2) day unexcused absences will receive a phone call.
• The parent/legal guardian of those students with five (5) day unexcused absences will receive a phone call. Parent/legal guardian will be required to sign an attendance contract w/the school staff.
• The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of students who have 10 full day unexcused absences will receive written notice of the habitual truancy by mail or by personal delivery.

Excessive Absences

• Absences due to school-related activities shall not be included when evaluating excessive absences.
• A student shall not be allowed more than ten (10) school-related absences per class per semester.
• State law requires schools to withdraw a student after ten (10) consecutive days of absence.

Tardy

• Students who are tardy for class shall receive consequences.
• If excused, parents shall notify the school in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school.
• Parents must escort their tardy student to the office to sign in.

Review the complete APS Attendance Policy .

Cell phones for elementary age children are discouraged. If your child must have a cell phone at school, it should be in their backpack, and it must remain turned off at all times including lunch and recess. Failure to follow this policy will result in the phone being confiscated. Parents may pick-up confiscated phones in the office. School personnel will not be involved in any investigation into lost, stolen, damaged, or missing cell phones. It’s important for parents to take responsibility for actively supervising student cell phone use carefully. We have experienced student who have been involved in conflicts generated by texting and phone calls outside of school that carry over to the academic environment.

Review the APS Personal Electronic Devices Policy .

The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education supports equitable and equal educational access and a student dress code that fosters an educational environment that values, affirms and welcomes ALL students. Dress codes shall be enforced consistently. equitably, equally, and in a manner that does not lead to differential treatment on the basis of racial identity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, cultural or religious identity and observances, household income, body size/type or body maturity.

All students should be able to dress comfortably and the primary responsibility for a student’s dress lies with the student and the family, with the exception of schools that require a uniform.  Schools shall not impose punishment related to student dress and dress code enforcement should not result in barriers to student attendance or participation, unless related to safety. Student dress choices should respect the district’s intent to sustain an inclusive community. Student attire shall not interfere with students’ health or safety, nor contribute to a hostile or intimidating learning environment. All students and staff are responsible for managing their own distractions without regulating another student’s dress.

While each individual school may adopt its own dress code, no student in any APS setting may wear clothing that contains:

• obscene or violent language or images

• depictions of alcohol or drugs or other illegal item or activity

• racist content, hate speech, profanity or pornography

• accessories that could be considered dangerous or used as a weapons

Review the complete APS Student Dress Policy .