Student Handbook

Throughout the school year, assemblies are scheduled for the student body. Students will be advised by way of the school announcements of scheduled assemblies. Although we want all students at assemblies, there are situations which would exclude students from attending (especially previous poor assembly behavior).

Student Attendance

Absences must be reported on the school’s attendance line, even if the student’s teacher(s) have been informed of the absence. The school’s attendance line may be called at any time to report an absence or tardy. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class period.

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.

To maintain a safe and organized learning environment, our school has implemented a no backpack rule during school hours. This rule aims to minimize distractions and create a clutter-free space where students can focus on their studies. 

 K-8 Chromebooks will stay at school on carts during the 26-27 school year.

In order to ensure a positive and safe learning environment that helps facilitate self-discipline, encourage academic success and promote school wellness, school staff will enforce District policies and school rules related to expected student behavior. Consequences will be administered by staff in those circumstances where a student exhibits behavior contrary to these policies/rules. Each teacher/staff member will have a set of specific guidelines of acceptable behavior, in addition to the school rules and District policies. 

The summary of Student Code of Conduct includes information such as:

• student conduct
• student attendance
• cell phones and personal technology devices
• District technology and Internet usage
• student dress code
• bullying and harassment

In-School Suspension 

For certain infractions, a student may be assigned to in-school suspension (ISS) instead of being assigned out-of-school suspension. In this case, the student will be expected to complete all assignments that are provided by teachers. Students assigned to ISS may not attend nor take part in any extracurricular or after school activities on days of suspension, unless special arrangements are made.

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. Bikes should not be locked to trees on or near school property. 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.

All textbooks are provided by the school. Lost or damaged books must be paid for by the student before another book will be issued. If a lost book has been paid for and then found, the student will be given a refund. School equipment damaged by a student because of carelessness will be paid for at the time it occurs.

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

• You must put your books away in your locker and get your jacket before you come to lunch. You will not be permitted to be in the halls or go to your locker until the lunch period is over. 
• 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. Then raise your hand to be excused. 
• When you leave, take your tray to the return counter and exit the lunchroom through the assigned doors. 
• After you have finished eating, you should go to the assigned area outside. 
• Remember that others are in class. Please stay away from the building and classroom windows. 
• If you have been assigned lunch detention by a teacher, you must have a pass from the teacher to leave the lunchroom. 
• Should a student cause a disturbance in the cafeteria or be found in the halls without a required pass, 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.

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:

Students are not allowed to express affection through holding hands, kissing, inappropriate embracing or walking in the halls with arms around each other’s waist or shoulders.

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.

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!

The primary purpose of the grading system is to clearly, accurately and consistently communicate learning progress and achievement to students, families, staff and postsecondary institutions. In accordance with District Policy, our school reports student progress using letter grades with the following numerical scale:

A  89.5 – 100%

B  79.5 – 89%

C  69.5 – 79%

D  59.5 – 69%

F  Below 59.5%

Each class grade will consist of 80% Summative Assessments and 20% of Formative Assessments. Summative Assessments consist of tests, reports, projects, etc., while Formative Assessments consist of class work, homework, etc. The lowest grade a student can receive for attempting the assignment is a 50%. 0’s will not be given. All unsubmitted assignments may initially reflect a grade of missing in the Infinite Campus Gradebook. At the end of the grading period, if still unsubmitted, the grade will reflect 50%. Please don’t hesitate to inquire how grades for your child were determined if you are unsure. 

Student grades can be accessed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at any time. 

If a teacher feels that it is necessary for a student to leave class, the student must have a hall pass. Students in the halls during class time without a pass will be sent back to the classroom. Students must make visits to the restrooms and drinking fountains during the passing periods and not expect to use class time for these purposes.

Homework should be used for practicing of skills learned in class or preparing for the next class, not of teaching of new material or as motivation. Therefore, while homework is not calculated in the final grade, it is critical in helping teachers drive their instruction and identify student weaknesses. This could be compared to sports in that practice (homework) prepares the athlete for the game, but does not count toward the final outcome of the game. Homework is any assignment given by the teacher that is required to be completed outside of class. Homework is not an assignment that is done in the classroom. Homework is in addition to class work. 

Types of homework: 

• Practice – The goal is to master a skill, not to acquire new information; 
• Preparation – The goal is to access prior knowledge about a new topic; 
• Elaboration – The goal is to require students to engage in activities that extend their knowledge.

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.

The school is proud to offer a variety of student activities outside the regular school program. Students are encouraged to become involved in such activities. Involvement fosters school pride, a stronger sense of belonging at school and better appreciation of the total school program. 

Because of this, we encourage every student to participate in at least one activity outside of the regular classroom. These activities are held before or after school and may require parents to sign permission forms or provide transportation to and from the activity. For safety and supervision reasons, it is important that students arrive and be picked up promptly at prescribed times.

Explore our clubs & activities 

School-sponsored clubs are designed based upon student interest. A student must attend at least four full classes during the school day to take part in student activities. Any student with an unexcused absence will not be permitted to appear at or in a school activity of any type. A suspended student may not attend or participate in any student activities during the period of suspension.

Whenever possible/practical, students should be given multiple opportunities to demonstrate their current level of understanding and mastery of standards. Multiple opportunities may mean the retaking of a summative assessment on which the student has not demonstrated proficiency. However, it may also mean that a particular concept can be reassessed later in the unit or another unit as part of a spiraling learning process without the actual retaking of an assessment. 

Retakes

Students are eligible for a retake on most assessments*, provided they meet the following: 

1. The student participates in a form of relearning decided upon by the teacher. Additional learning may be required of the student, as well as possible additional instruction from the teacher. 
2. The student has completed all required and associated formative coursework.
3. The student has not demonstrated understanding at a proficient level (3 or higher). 

*Students will not be allowed to “redo” or “retake” a summative assessment such as products, projects, extended writing assessments, etc. that have periodic formative checkpoints leading to the summative assessment. 

Students must complete retakes no later than two weeks following the receipt of summative assessment results and/or within two weeks of unit completion. The score on a retake will not replace the original score; however, it will be used as another piece of data when analyzing the body of evidence before assigning an overall mark on the report card. 

Lockers are school property and may be inspected by school officials without prior consent. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Students will be assigned an individual hall locker. Students are responsible for items in their lockers and must not give their combination to other students. Students will lose locker privileges if:

• They jam their locker so they do not need to use the combination to open it.

• They use a locker not officially assigned to them 

• They damage their locker by applying stickers that will not come off, writing on or scratching the locker, etc. 

• They damage or interfere with someone else’s locker. 

• They allow others to use their locker.

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 several times a year.

We highly discourage students from bringing valuables and toys to school. Items having value for one individual usually have an attractive appeal for others and unfortunately sometimes disappear. The school cannot 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.

Outdoor supervision by educators begins at 7:50 a.m. No adults will be outside for duty before 7:50 a.m. Students will be allowed in the building at 7:45 am for breakfast (K-5 through doors #17 in the West courtyard, 6-8 through doors #8 by the playground. Older siblings of K-5 students may enter with them through doors #17). There is no outdoor supervision of students until 7:50 am. All students not eating breakfast enter at 7:50 am through the appropriate doors described above. Elementary school teachers go outside at 7:50 am and stay with their line before bringing their students in prior to 8. Please supervise your child until they enter the building or meet their teacher at 7:50.

Please ensure that your child knows the daily plan for pick up. If someone is responsible for meeting them, please remind them to be on school grounds at the designated pick up location no later than 3:10 p.m. 

Staff is present to assist with the supervision of our students starting at 7:50  a.m. Staff will be available to assist with dismissal procedures at the end of each day until 3:25 p.m. If it is prior to the end of the school day, please make sure to bring your driver’s license to pick up your child from the main office only. Anyone other than the designated parent/guardian must be listed on the Student Authorization Pick Up Form and bring their driver’s license or government issued ID to pick up your child. 

Breakfast is served in our cafeteria daily from 7:45 to 7:55 a.m. Breakfast students can enter the courtyard entrance (K-5) or Back Middle School entrance (6-8) at 7:45 a.m.

We are proud of our school and show our pride by taking care of our building. You can add to our pride by keeping classrooms, lockers, halls and restrooms clean. You can help make the school a pleasant place to be by respecting student’s and staff’s personal property. 

Large amounts of money, expensive jewelry or watches and other valuable possessions should not be brought to school. At no time will the school assume responsibility for valuables. All lost and found items (other than clothing) are to be turned in to the school office. Clothing items should be placed in the box in the cafeteria and any unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.

Students are required to wear a school uniform every day. All student uniforms must meet the requirements of the District’s student dress code policy. Uniforms will be available for purchase at the main office and online. Students are expected to wear a STEM Launch shirt (t-shirt, polo, or sweatshirt) as the outermost layer. Pants are not restricted to khakis or certain colors. Students may wear appropriate pants, shorts, skirts or jeans that meet district dress code policy any day of the week.  Please see our website for additional details. 

Uniforms are available to purchase in the main office. If a financial burden prohibits a parent/guardian from purchasing the required uniform for their student, please let us know.

If the student fails to report to school in the required school uniform, parents will be contacted and asked to bring appropriate attire. If the student continues to arrive out of uniform, appropriate disciplinary actions will follow based on District policy. All out-of-uniform days for school events will be communicated home clearly.

Students are required to wear their school-issued ID on a lanyard around their neck and visible to school personnel at all times while on school property. Refusal to wear their ID will result in consequences as outlined in the District’s student discipline matrix. Students who fail to wear their IDs will be required to come to the office for a temporary ID. A replacement ID will be issued after three temporary IDs were issued in one school year.

Replacement IDs are $5.00.

District Policy 1200 requires that all parents and visitors must present a drivers 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.