Handbook

School Starts at 9:15 a.m.

Students are expected to be in their classrooms and ready to learn by 9:15 a.m. Arriving on time helps students begin their day successfully and minimizes disruptions to learning.

What is Considered Tardy?

A student is considered tardy if they arrive after 9:15 a.m.

When a Student Arrives Late

• Parents/guardians must accompany students to the front office to sign them in.
• Students will receive a tardy pass before reporting to class.
• Students should not be dropped off at the curb after the school day has begun.

Excused Tardies

Tardies may be excused for reasons such as:

• Medical or dental appointments (documentation may be requested)
• Family emergencies
• Other circumstances approved by school administration

Unexcused Tardies

Unexcused tardies include, but are not limited to:

• Oversleeping
• Missing the bus
• Traffic or transportation delays
• Running late without a valid reason

Excessive Tardiness

Frequent tardiness affects student learning and classroom routines. The following steps will be taken:

Number of Tardies	School Response
3	Reminder sent home to parent/guardian
5	Phone call or conference with parent/guardian
8	Attendance Improvement Plan may be developed
10 or more	Referral to the school's attendance team and district attendance procedures may be initiated

Why Being on Time Matters

Students who arrive on time:

• Participate in morning meetings and classroom routines.
• Receive important daily instruction.
• Build positive attendance habits.
• Experience greater academic success.

Our Goal

We encourage all students to arrive at school between 9 and 9:10 a.m. This allows time for breakfast, unpacking, and getting settled before instruction begins at 9:15 a.m.

Every Minute Counts. Every Day Matters. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's success!

It is not safe to drop children off more than 15 minutes before school or to leave them more than 15 minutes after the school day ends.

Parents must not leave their children on a school campus longer than fifteen (15) minutes either before or after the school day.

School grounds are not supervised except during the school day. If extenuating circumstances prevent a family from picking up a student on time, the school must be notified within fifteen minutes of the end of the school day.

If students are repeatedly left on campus outside of the school day hours, an administrator will attempt to contact the family to discuss and resolve the problem. If the problem continues, the student may be considered abandoned and the police will be notified. Such children may be subject to transportation to a designated state shelter.

APS schools will do their best to abide by parenting plans provided to them but are not responsible to enforce specific pick-up days.

Parents/guardians on campus during the school day need to check-in at the main office and wear a visitor or volunteer name-tag at all times.

Visits to classrooms should be arranged 24 hours prior to the visit and should be limited to twenty minutes. Parents/guardians may only visit classrooms where their child is enrolled.

We are here to help your child learn and grow, and that process includes you! Parents are a child's first and most important teachers. Parent involvement is closely linked to academic achievement and self-confidence.

If you wish to volunteer with us, please set up a time with our volunteer coordinator, Corinne Martinez, who can guide you through the process and get you signed up. Teachers need help with making copies, coordinating and preparing materials, or just an extra hand in the classroom. We welcome your participation, your input, and your ideas.

Contact: Corinne Martinez

• Volunteer with APS