Handbook
APS Student Handbook Links
Collet Park Student Handbook (PDF)
Handbook Essentials
Attendance
APS students are allowed no more than five (5) unexcused absences per semester, and no more than ten (10) unexcused absences per school year.
The parent or guardian must inform the school each day that the child is absent. Letters from the APS attendance office will be generated as a means of informing the parent of the total count of unexcused days absent. Parents are encouraged to contact the principal once a letter has been received to discuss attendance issues and ways that the school may encourage your children to attend school regularly. Again, truancy notices may be forwarded to the Children’s Court Division if a child is to have more that ten (10) full days of unexcused absences.
In addition, the automated system will call families in the event of a student absence. Teachers will record absences and tardies on the district attendance tracking system as soon as school starts. The system will send a ‘Safety Call’ to alert families that students are not in class. If the absence is unexcused, the system will send additional calls throughout the day.
School begins at 7:55 and students who enter the classroom after the bell will be entered as ‘tardy’ on the attendance system. Students with excessive tardies will be reported just as students with excessive absences.
Students signed out before the end of the day are also missing instruction. Students with numerous early sign outs will also be reported for unexcused absences.
Excused absences include the following with appropriate documentation
- Doctor’s appointment
- Death in the family
- Religious commitment
- Diagnostic testing
- Family emergency
- Limited extenuating circumstances as approved by the principal
Family vacations are considered unexcused absences.
NOTE: Notes should be brought directly to the office the first day after the absence.
Excessive excused absences may result in an inquiry by the school principal or counselor and request for additional documentation. The school's Health / Mental Health Team will also work with families to address attendance issues.