Student Handbook 2024-2025

Frequently Asked Attendance Questions

STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES
 

One factor in a student's school success is regular and punctual attendance. Research indicates that an absenteeism rate of 10% results in an increased likelihood that a student will struggle academically and potentially drop out of school. In most situations, the missed classroom experience cannot be adequately replicated.
Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school, and are college and career ready after leaving school.

According to state law, it is the obligation of every parent/guardian to ensure that every child under their care and supervision receives adequate education and training by attending school when they are of compulsory attendance age which Colorado establishes as children who have attained the age of six years on or before August 1 of each year and under the age of 17.

Definitions

1. Absence means a student is not present for a portion or all of a scheduled school day.
2. Chronically absent means a student absent 10 percent or more of the days enrolled during the school year including unexcused and excused absences.
3. Excused absence means a student is absent from school or a class with a valid and verifiable excuse by the parent/guardian consistent with this Policy or permission of authorized school staff.
4. Habitually truant means a student of compulsory attendance age having four total days of unexcused absences in any one calendar month or ten total days of unexcused absences during the school year.
5. Partial absence means a secondary student entering class more than 5 minutes after the scheduled start time or departing class more than five minutes before the scheduled end time or an elementary student entering class more than 60 minutes after the scheduled start time ordeparting class more than 60 minutes before the scheduled end time.
6. Tardy means a secondary student entering or departing a class less than 5 minutes after the scheduled start or departing less than 5 minutes before the scheduled end time or an elementary student entering a class less than 60 minutes after the scheduled start time or departing a class less than 60 minutes before the scheduled end time.
7. Unexcused absence/truant means a student is absent from school without a valid and verifiable excuse by the parent/guardian consistent with this Policy or the student leaves school or a class without permission of authorized school staff.

Attendance Taking

All teachers shall take attendance twice a day for elementary school classes and other classes that schedule by day, and each new class period for secondary and other classes that schedule by period. Attendance should generally be taken within the first ten (10) minutes of class beginning or resuming after lunch.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

The following shall be considered excused absences:

1. A student who is temporarily ill or injured
2. A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental or emotional disability
3. A student who has a medical or dental appointment
4. A student who is pursuing a work-study program under the supervision of the School District
5. A student who is suspended or expelled
6. A student who is observing a religious holidays
7. A student who is attending a court appearance or court-ordered activities 
8. A student who is participating in interviews, tours, information sessions, or other official activity or event with college admissions officials or career employer representatives
9. A student who is participating in family activities
10. A student who is experiencing extenuating circumstances as determined by the building administrator.

Students who are excused from attendance shall not be on campus during the excused periods.

A student who is attending a school-sponsored activity of an educational nature with advance approval by the administration will not be considered absent. Such circumstances include but are not limited to student council, field trips, athletic events, other school activities and counselor or administrator appointments.

All other absences are unexcused.

Extended Absences and Leaves

All absences that extend beyond 10 days become considered leave and must be approved by the principal so a plan can be developed for the student’s education. The School District is not able to guarantee ongoing enrollment at a particular site during or following a student’s extended absence or leave.

Tardiness and Partial Absences

Because of the disruptive nature of tardiness and partial absences, appropriate consequences consistent with this Policy may be imposed by the School when a student accumulates multiple tardies or partial absences. Generally, three (3) unexcused partial absences or five (5) tardies will equal one unexcused absence.

A student detained by another teacher or administrator will not be considered tardy or partially absent.

Notification and Documentation

All schools shall document student attendance in the School District’s student information system that shall make this information available to parents/guardians.

As soon as possible and no later than two school days following the student's return, the parent/guardian shall contact the school and provide appropriate documentation or the absence will remain unexcused. Whenever possible, students and families are asked to provide advance notice of expected absences and to communicate in advance with teachers about make-up work. 

When a student fails to report on a regularly scheduled school day and school personnel have received no indication that the parent/guardian is aware of the absence, school personnel shall make a reasonable efforts to notify the parent/guardian of the absence. Schools will also notify parents/guardians of their students’ tardiness/partial absences and any penalties assigned.

Missed Work

Students are responsible for meeting academic content standards that are addressed instructionally during their absences. The goal of make-up work is to provide the student the opportunity to keep up with the class, incentive to attend school, and the ability to achieve a passing grade upon completion of missed work. In an effort to re-engage the student in school and in their learning, make-up work shall be provided as follows:

For both excused and unexcused absences:

1. Make-up work will be provided upon request. It is the responsibility of the student or parent to retrieve make-up work from the online platform or to request make-up work no later than the second school day after returning to class or school from an absence.
2. Students shall be given at least the same number of days they were absent plus one additional day to make up assignments. The make-up period begins on the next school day following the student’s return to school.
3. Individual teachers may be asked by administration to grant extra time for make-up in hardship cases and special circumstances.
4. Students will not receive credit for make-up work not completed or completed after the designated deadline.
5. Teachers must provide an alternative assignment or assure no penalty for missed in-class or group activities, including but not limited to labs, presentations, or assessments.

Teachers shall not assign academic penalties for excused absences. For unexcused absences, teachers may reduce credit to 75% of the earned score on the missed assignment or assessment (e.g. If a student scores 80 points on a 100 point assignment, the teacher could reduce the student’s credit by 25% for a score of 60 points). Teachers are encouraged to consider restorative approaches to attendance concerns, and shall assure that any academic penalties assigned are implemented equitably.

Interventions

When students are experiencing disruptions in attendance that may affect the student’s educational progress, appropriate school personnel shall develop an attendance plan, aligned with the Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process, with the goal of assisting the student to attend school. The plan will include best practices and research-based strategies to address the reasons for the student´s chronic absenteeism or truancy. When practicable, the student's parent/guardian shall participate with School District personnel in the development of the plan.

If the student’s attendance continues to be a significant concern, the Board designates the School District’s attendance support team and school principals to enforce the provisions of the compulsory attendance law, counsel students and parents, investigate the causes of nonattendance, and report those findings to the Board. When necessary and appropriate, the Board designates legal counsel to represent the School District in judicial proceedings to enforce compulsory attendance.

Consequences

In accordance with law, the School District may impose appropriate penalties that relate directly to classes missed while unexcused. Penalties may include a warning, school detention, or in-school suspension. Academic penalties other than as provided in this Policy, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsion will not be imposed for attendance violations.

Appeal

Students and parents/guardians may petition their student’s school (and appeal under Board Policy KE) for exceptions to this policy.
 

LEGAL REF:
C.R.S. § 22-14-101 (student engagement)
C.R.S. § 22-32-109(1)(n) (school year, instruction & contact time)
C.R.S. § 22-32-109.1(2)(a) (conduct and discipline code)
C.R.S. § 22-32-110 (1)(mm) (board may authorize school employee to represent school district in judicial proceedings to enforce compulsory attendance)
C.R.S. § 22-32-138 (6) (excused absence for students in out-of home placements)
C.R.S. § 22-33-101 (School Attendance Law of 1963)
C.R.S. § 22-33-104 (compulsory school attendance)
C.R.S. § 22-33-105 (suspension/expulsion)
C.R.S. § 22-33-105 (3)(d)(III) (opportunity to make up work during suspension)
C.R.S. § 22-33-107 (enforcement of compulsory school attendance)
C.R.S. § 22-33-108 (judicial proceedings to enforce school attendance laws)
1 CCR 301-67, Rule 2.01 (7) (definition of dropout)
1 CCR 301-78 Rules 1.00 (counting student attendance and truancy)

To develop and protect the integrity of the instructional time at school and promote further opportunities for connection, CHS has a strict cell phone policy, which is aligned with district policy JRCT.  Centaurus High School understands that technology is integrated into our lives in learning, working, and recreation. Personal technology devices may be useful tools for students in the educational environment under certain conditions. At the same time, the use of social media and technology is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and is disruptive to the educational process and school operations.   As such all teachers and staff are expected to uphold policy JRCT without exception. All cell phones must be turned off, put away, and out of sight before entering the school. 

• Cell phones may only be used as an instructional aid for educational purposes if a teacher specifically requests that a student utilize his or her cell phone for that activity. 
• Teachers may request that students store their cell phones in a cell phone caddy, compliance with the request is expected.
• If cell phones are needed in the classroom, the teacher will make it clear to the students to take out their cell phones. Teachers will also instruct students to put their phones away after the conclusion of the activity. 
• Exceptions to the cell phone policy will be made if a student has specific accommodations in place.* Even with these accommodations, cell phones may only be used for instructional purposes or for the student’s stated accommodation. 

*Students who require access to technology, that may include a PTD, to access a free appropriate public education will have their needs addressed as part of accommodations as specified in their Section 504 plan or Individual Education Program (IEP) that will supersede this Policy.

Consequences for violation of policy:

Students caught using a cell phone in an academic area without teacher permission will face the following consequences when referred to office: 

*First offense: confiscation of phone, student may pick up cell phone from Administration after the official school day (this will always be at 3:50 PM, since this is the official end of the school day). The student will review and sign the Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices Violation contract. 

*Second offense: confiscation of cell phone, parent or guardian must pick up phone from administration after the official school day. Phone will not be given to students for any reason without a parent or guardian coming in. 

*Third offense: confiscation of cell phone, parent or guardian must pick up phone from administration at a scheduled appointment. Cell phones/electronic devices must be checked into the main office for the entirety of the school day for the rest of the year. 

*Fourth offense: Out-of-school suspension (1 Day) and cell phone is not allowed on school grounds for the rest of the school year. 

(* If a student refuses to relinquish their cell phone to an administrator, then this will result in an automatic out-of-school suspension (1 Day) for Non-Compliance/Insubordinate Behavior).

Portable Electronic Devices in School
BVSD recognizes that portable electronic devices are tools of both communication and learning that, depending upon their use, can either add value to or disrupt the school environment.  Portable electronic devices include cell phones, iPods, iPads, MP3s, wireless email devices, laptops, tablets etc. Portable electronic devices with cameras may not be used to violate the privacy rights of another person (ex. You may not photograph others in a bathroom or locker room.).  

Students are required to turn portable electronic devices over to school personnel when requested. Under certain circumstances, law enforcement authorities may be notified.  Portable electronic devices are considered personal effects in a student’s possession and thereby subject to Board Policy JFGA governing searches of such items. Except in cases of emergency, a cell phone or other electronic communication device will not be searched without the consent of either the student or parent.

BVSD shall not be responsible for the loss, theft, or destruction of portable electronic devices brought onto school property.

1. CHS Grading Structure
Rationale: At Centaurus, participation, formative assessment, summative assessment, and final assessment activities will be weighted so that the student’s final grade is indicative of what the student knows and can demonstrate.

Terms:

• Formative - Given throughout the learning process, formative assessments seek to determine how students are progressing through a certain learning goal.
• Summative - Given at the end of the year or unit, summative assessments assess a student's level of proficiency after instruction.

GUIDELINES:

Academic Class Grading Structure:

• Participation, Attendance, Effort = 0% - 15%
• Formative Assessments = 10% - 30%
• Summative Assessments = 55% - 80%
• Final Assessment = 10% - 20%  

Performance Class Grading Structure:

• Practice/Participation, Attendance, Effort (non-proficiency skills) = 55% - 80%
• Formative Assessments = 0% - 15%
• Summative Assessments = 10% - 30%
• Final Assessment = 10% - 20%

2. Late Work Policy 
Rationale:  We want all students to turn in quality work so that we may

• Assess learning
• Determine daily instruction
• Foster accountability

GUIDELINES: 

ALL teachers will accept late work following these criteria:

• Students are responsible for all class work missed due to any absence either excused or unexcused. Within 2 school days after his or her return to class following an absence, the student must arrange to make up work missed.
• Students will have 5 school days from the due date in which to turn in late work. 
• If the student needs more than 5 school days, the student must meet with the teacher prior to the end of the 5 day extension to resolve the late work and complete an extension contract, if appropriate.  
• Quality late work will receive at least 75% of the assessed earned credit during the 5-day late window. 
• No late work will be accepted for daily homework that immediately determines daily instruction.
• Please note that according to Board Policy JH-R regarding Credit for Excused Absences, “[credit for class work missed due to excused absences shall be allowed when satisfactorily completed within the timeline agreed upon by the student and teacher.”
• Please note that according to Board Policy JH-R Credit for Unexcused Absences, "The teacher may deny on an individual basis the acceptance of class work and/or assessments missed due to unexcused absences or truancy. Students are responsible for course content missed during any absence."

3.  Summative Reassessment Policy
Rationale:  Our goal is that the student progresses and self-advocates to be responsible for demonstration of proficiency on summative assessments on the first attempt.  If needed, teachers will provide a structured opportunity for students to demonstrate proficiency on summative assessments.  

GUIDELINES:

• Must contact/meet with teacher to determine a plan for preparing for demonstration of proficiency within one week of the original assessment being returned.  
• Teachers will provide one additional attempt at a demonstration of proficiency, though extenuating circumstances will be considered.
• Some assessments are not conducive to reassessment; therefore, the teacher will give advance notice if reassessment is not possible.
• The additional attempt at proficiency and the original assessment score will be averaged and recorded as the new score.
• Summative final exams/assessments are the last occasion for demonstrating proficiency.  No reassessment of the final exam may occur.

We expect students to do their best academically and socially. It is in the best interest of all students to demonstrate school pride by:    

• Using language that avoids profanity and racial, ethnic, or sexist remarks.
• Being considerate to others and not using cell phones, and other sound equipment in and around academic areas.
• Not tolerating or participating in activities such as hazing or initiation.
• Avoiding danger to others through propelled objects. Snowballs, water balloons, and water pistols, for example, can be the cause of damage, disruption, and injury and are not allowed on campus.
• Avoiding excessive and inappropriate displays of affection in public.
• Cooperating with school personnel by doing what is asked.
• Avoiding running and/or shouting in the hallways.
• Keeping the flow of traffic moving in hallways.
• Keeping play equipment outside of the school building or in a locker; examples would be hacky sacks, skateboards, roller blades, and other sports equipment.
• Skateboards must be carried on campus. Students may NOT use the concrete areas or the parking lot to ride skateboards or use in-line skates. Skateboards must be stored in a locker during class time. 
• Students will avoid eating or loitering in the hallways.  
• Students may socialize in the Commons, Student Center or outside patios.
• Students may not be in unassigned or unsupervised areas.

Students who disregard these expectations can expect that disciplinary consequences will be imposed. We expect students to behave in respectful ways and to adhere to behavioral expectations at all times.

At CHS we believe that:

• Everyone has the right to learn without interference or disruption from others. 
• Everyone’s welfare, material possessions, and dignity should be respected.
• Every student is expected to attend every class every day.
• Students are expected to be familiar with and to follow the classroom policies of their teachers. Students must understand that these policies may differ from teacher to teacher.

SAFE TO TELL/Colorado Student Crime Stoppers   

Safe-2-tell: 1-877-542-safe (7233)         www.safe2tell.org

SAFE TO TELL is designed to help YOU - students, teachers & parents anonymously report anything that is scaring or endangering you, your friends or your family. You don't need to be afraid to call. You never have to give us your name. In fact, Colorado State Law guarantees you will remain unknown if you choose [COLORADO REVISED STATUTE 16-15.7-101]. 

We want to make our schools and communities safer by focusing on prevention. So if you've seen something suspicious, been bullied, feel threatened or noticed that a friend needs help, call us and make a difference before something bad happens.

Please click here to view Board Policy JDC - Student Conduct (español).

While on school grounds, in school facilities, in school vehicles, or at school-sponsored activities, students shall comply with all policies and regulations pertaining to student conduct. Specifically:

1. Student conduct shall at all times reflect consideration for the rights and privileges of others; cooperation with all members of the school community is required.
2. Students shall maintain high personal standards of courtesy, decency, morality, and honesty in their relationship with others.
3. Students shall respect the authority of school staff and officials. This includes 
4. compliance with school regulations, district policies, and Colorado law.
5. Diligence in study and achievement commensurate with ability is expected of all students. Respect for scholarship should be encouraged and scholastic integrity shall be maintained. Students are expected to be prompt and regular in their attendance of school and classes and are responsible for work missed due to excused or unexcused tardiness or absence.
6. No student shall engage in or encourage behavior which poses a clear and convincing threat of disruption of the school operations.
7. No student shall engage in or encourage behavior which is detrimental to the welfare or safety of students, teachers, or school personnel on or off school property.
8. Students shall not use, bring, carry, possess, buy, sell, or exchange alcohol, narcotics, or other dangerous or restricted drugs or controlled substances.
9. No student shall use, possess, bring, or carry any dangerous weapon of any kind or a knife of any blade length on school property, in school‐approved vehicles, or at school‐sponsored activities without prior permission of the school principal or designee or the Superintendent or designee. Dangerous weapon is defined in COLO. REV. STAT. § 22‐33‐ 106(1)(d)(II) and Policy JFCJ, Dangerous Weapons in the Schools.
10. Students shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to school or private property, nor steal or attempt to steal school or private property.
11. No student shall engage in bullying behavior in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated school bus stop, or at school activities or sanctioned events.
     

Violations of Colorado law, district or school rules of conduct will result in disciplinary action, which may include suspension or expulsion. Specific district policies to reference:

• Student Absences and Excuses — Policy JH (español)
• Conduct Related to Weapons — Policy JDC-R (español)
• Student Involvement with Drugs and Alcohol — Policies JDDA/JDDA-R (español JDDA/JDDA-R)
• Searches — Policy JRS
• Student Suspension/Expulsion — Policy JDSE (español)
• Student Dress — Policy JRDC (español)

Access the full list of board policies here: English    español

District Policy JDSE (español), revised 6/9/2020

For certain misbehaviors, a student may be prevented from attending school and participating in school activities for a specified and limited period of time.

Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion:
Students may be suspended or expelled for the following behaviors while in school buildings, on school grounds, in school vehicles or at school-sponsored activities. (In appropriate circumstances a student may be suspended or expelled for behavior off school property.):

1. Serious violations, as determined by the principal, including but not limited to fighting, Initiating, or participating in bomb scares or false alarms; improper sexual contact; the unauthorized use, possession, exchange or sale of alcohol or controlled substances; and being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
2. Carrying, bringing, using or possessing a dangerous weapon without the authorization of the school or school district, for which expulsion is mandatory. “Dangerous weapon” means: (a) a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; (b) any pellet or BB gun or other device, whether operational or not, designed to propel projectiles by spring action or compressed air; (c) a fixed-blade knife with a blade longer than 3 inches in length or a spring-loaded knife or a pocket knife with a blade longer than 3-1/2 inches; or (d) any object, device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate, used or intended to be used to inflict death or serious bodily injury. A student may, but need not, be expelled for the behavior described in this paragraph if, as soon as possible upon discovery that he or she is in possession of the dangerous weapon, the student notifies and delivers the weapon to a teacher, administrator or other authorized person.
3. The sale of a drug or controlled substance for which expulsion is mandatory.
4. The commission of an act which, if committed by an adult, would be robbery under the criminal law, for which expulsion is mandatory.
5. The commission of an act which, if committed by an adult, would be first or second degree assault under the criminal law, for which expulsion is mandatory.
6. Continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority, including, but not limited to, repeated violations of school district policy and repeated instances of misconduct, no single occurrence of which might otherwise constitute a ground for suspension or expulsion.
7. Willful destruction or defacing of school property.
8. Behavior on or off school property which is detrimental to the welfare or safety of the student, other students, or of school personnel, including behavior which creates a threat of physical harm to the student or other students.
9. Declaration of the student as habitually disruptive for which expulsion shall be mandatory. “Disruptive behavior” means behavior by the student which is initiated, willful, and overt. After the first and second suspension of a student for disruptive behavior, the school must develop a remedial discipline plan for the student. The district will encourage the full participation of the student’s parents in the development of any such remedial discipline plan. Expulsion is mandatory upon receiving the third suspension for disruptive behavior.
10. Repeated interference with the school’s ability to provide educational opportunities to other students.
11. Assault upon, disorderly conduct toward, harassment of, making knowingly false allegations of child abuse against, and any criminal offense against a teacher or school employee, or damage to property of a teacher or school employee which occurs on school premises. A minimum of three days’ suspension is mandatory for such behavior.
12. Use or possession of any tobacco product.
13. Unauthorized absence from school for all or any portion of the school day.
14. Stealing or attempting to steal property belonging to the school district or to a private individual.
15. Vandalism, damage or destruction of property belonging to the school district or to a private individual.
16. Sexual harassment of students or staff.
17. Violation of rules concerning proper use of school district computers and/or concerning Internet access.
18. Trespassing onto district property or remaining on school district property after being requested to leave by an authorized school official.
19. Gang-related activity.
20. Violation of any school or district policy or regulation governing student conduct.

Suspension is viewed as a very serious step in the discipline and intervention process. A school principal or designee may suspend a student for up to (5) five school days. 

The superintendent or designee may extend the suspension if necessary, according to policy JGD/JGE. In no event may the total period of suspension exceed twenty-five consecutive school days.

• “Classroom suspension” means the exclusion of a student from the classroom by a teacher for causing a material and substantial disruption in the classroom through behavior that is initiated, willful, and overt on the part of the student.
• “In-school suspension” means the exclusion of a student from the classroom and from participation in regular school activities, with continuous supervision and instruction in a location separate from the regular school environment.
• Absences due to suspension shall be deemed to be excused. Students are responsible for all class work missed due to absence. During the period of suspension, the school shall provide an opportunity for a student to make up school work during the period of suspension.

Missed work shall be provided for any class in which a student has an absence or following a student’s suspension from school with the goal of providing the student an opportunity to keep up with the class and an incentive to attend school. It is the responsibility of the student to pick up make-up work (Provide an opportunity for a pupil to make up school work during the period of suspension for full or partial academic credit to the extent possible. The intent of this provision is to provide an opportunity for the pupil to reintegrate into the educational program of the district and to help prevent the pupil from dropping out of school because of an inability to reintegrate into the educational program following the period of suspension. The school district should take this intent into consideration when determining the amount of credit a student will receive for this makeup work). 

Students are responsible for all class work missed due to any absence either excused or unexcused.  Within two (2) school days after his/her return to class following an absence, the student must arrange to make up missed work.

Unless otherwise permitted by the building administrator, make-up work shall not be provided during a student's expulsion. Rather, the district shall offer alternative education services to the expelled student in accordance with state law. The district shall determine the number of credits the expelled student will receive for work completed during any alternative education program. 

Please note the above policy simply states that a student has two school days to arrange make-up work with the teacher.  It does not state that a student has two days for every day absent.  It is up to the teacher to fairly arrange with the student how much time will be granted for make-up work.

C.R.S. 22-33-105 (3)(d)(III) (opportunity to make up work during suspension)
 

Centaurus High School has zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use. If a student smells of alcohol or drugs, he/she will immediately be escorted to the office where they will be interviewed by an administrator. The student’s parents will be notified. If reasonable suspicion exists, the student and his/her belongings are subject to search. If applicable, the student’s vehicle is also subject to search. If a student is in possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol, he/she will be suspended for a minimum of 3 days and ticketed by law enforcement. Drugs, drug paraphernalia, and alcohol have no place on school grounds.

Vaping and E-Cigarettes Warning
E-Cigarette, Juul, Phix and other vaping device use has become an increasing concern for teens in Boulder. The surgeon general sent out an alarm last December due to a 900% increase in teen use. See article and Surgeon General's Info page.

Vaping devices often produce a less detectable smell than smoking and use pods that deliver anything from flavored vapor with or without nicotine to high THC marijuana vapor.  

Other resources for conversations with teens about substance use: 

How to Talk to your Child about Alcohol from the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/Why-to-Have-the-Alcohol-Talk-Early.aspx

Conversation Starters for Parents from National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators/conversation-starters

Cannabis Awareness and Prevention Toolkit from Stanford Medicine: https://med.stanford.edu/cannabispreventiontoolkit.html

How to Prevent Underage Drinking from Partnership to End Addiction: https://drugfree.org/article/how-to-prevent-underage-drinking/

The Boulder Valley School District will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or violence against anyone, including students and staff members, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or religion. In order to encourage respect and consideration for others, the District established the following standards:

• Students and adults are expected to behave in ways that respect individual differences and promote nondiscrimination.
• Adults in the school environment are expected to behave in ways that promote positive behaviors among students.
• Students and adults who experience and/or report discrimination in good faith and upon reasonable belief or evidence will not be penalized; those who engage in discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action. 

All complaints should be directed to the principal.
 

No student shall engage in bullying behavior in school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated school bus stop, or at school activities or sanctioned events. Bullying is defined as any written or verbal expression, or physical act or gesture, or a pattern thereof, that is intended to cause distress upon one or more students. A reasonable balance between the severity and pattern, if any, of bullying behavior shall be taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made.

Make a Bullying Report
 

Please refer to district policy JDC - Student Conduct (JDC - Conducta de los Estudiantes).

Boulder Valley School District students are expected to respond to academic challenges with the highest degree of integrity and honesty that support the culture of the community and the characteristics of the New Century Graduate.

Definitions:

• Academic Integrity: Compliance to accepted ethical standards.
• Academic Dishonesty: Deliberate, unacceptable behaviors that include but are not limited to: misrepresentation, obtaining unauthorized information, and tendering of information.
• Misrepresentation: Students misrepresent their work by handing in the work of someone else:
  • Plagiarizing: unacknowledged use of information, ideas, or phrasing of others. This includes copying exact words of another writer without proper documentation of source, stealing or passing off words, graphics, and artwork that is not one’s own
  • Purchasing a paper from a service or other sources
  • Reproducing another person’s paper and submitting it as one’s own
  • Having someone else take an exam
  • Inventing of information or citation in an academic exercise and misquoting or quoting out of context
  • Submitting a reproduction of another person’s work
  • Signing of another’s name to an official document and/or submission of information known to be false
  • Obtaining unauthorized information: Information that is obtained dishonestly:
  • Copying homework
  • Working with another student on work that is intended to be done independently
  • Downloading and submitting term papers from online resources
  • Sharing answers through data storage devices
  • Using cell phones or PDA devices to take electronic pictures of exams
  • Text-messaging answers of academic work
  • Stealing materials from teachers or classmates
  • Tendering of information: Students giving or selling their work to another person who plans to submit it as his or her own:
  • Giving work to another student to be copied
  • Giving someone answers to an exam during an exam
  • Discussing an assessment with students who have not yet been assessed on the material
  • Giving or selling a written assignment to another student

Infractions and Consequences

• Suspected incidents of academic dishonesty should be referred by instructional staff to the school’s administration for investigation. In order to maintain a reasonable level of consistency within a school, consequences will be applied by the school’s administration after consultation with the appropriate instructional staff.
• The general magnitude of an infraction and the level of premeditation involved should be considered before consequences are determined. Schools should strive to maintain consistency in consequences from infraction to infraction.

Possible consequences to infractions may include:

• Parent/Guardian conference with teacher(s) and/or administration
• A certified letter to be signed by the parent/guardian
• A failing grade for the assignment
• Redo the assignment within a given amount of time
• Suspension
• Suspension of Internet access
• Suspension of Network privileges
• A failing grade for the class
• Ineligibility for groups/activities
• Community service
• Restorative Justice

Students should be reminded that a violation of copyright law carries criminal penalties.
 

Notice: Prior to operation of cameras, signs will be posted in conspicuous locations in affected school buildings and grounds (including all facility entrances) to remind staff, students and parents, and to inform visitors and invitees, that video surveillance may occur on District property.

Notice of surveillance will also be included in school and district newsletters, student, parent and staff handbooks, and posted on the District website.

Prior to use of video surveillance cameras, the Superintendent or designee will notify students, parents/legal guardians and staff, that:  video surveillance may occur on District property and on vehicles used for District-provided transportation;  video cameras may be placed in locations deemed appropriate by designated school administrators, including exterior and interior locations (list permissible and impermissible locations);  video monitoring may occur before, during or after school hours;  video recordings may be used in connection with the enforcement of Board policy, administrative regulations, building rules and other applicable laws, including student and staff disciplinary proceedings and matters referred to local law enforcement agencies;  video recordings may become a part of a student’s educational record or a staff member’s personnel record;  the District will comply with all applicable state and federal laws related to student data privacy and record maintenance and retention;  the District will make a copy of this policy available for review.

Dress Code Philosophy
The Boulder Valley School District believes all students have the right to an equitable education and should be able to dress, and style their hair, for school in a manner that expresses their individuality without fear of unnecessary discipline or body shaming. Enforcement of this universal dress code shall not create disparities, reinforce stereotypes or increase marginalization of any group, nor will it be more strictly enforced against students because of racial identity, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, gender nonconformity, sexual orientation, cultural identity, religious identity, household income or body type/size.

Dress Code Policy
The Board of Education recognizes that students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are primarily responsible for determining the students’ personal appearance (clothing, hairstyle, jewelry, headgear, hats, book bags, etc.). Students' hair/hairstyles will not be considered a cause for dress code violation.

Schools are responsible for ensuring that a student’s personal appearance does not interfere with the health or safety of any student. Students and staff are responsible for managing their own personal distractions and reactions. The following general standards will be in effect at all BVSD schools grade PK-12:

Mandatory and Allowable Dress:

• Students must wear a top, bottom and footwear while on school premises
• Some courses may require adjustments to attire and hairstyle to ensure safety during academic activities (i.e. science labs, PE, electives, CTE, etc.)
• Some courses (PE, science lab, CTE, electives, etc.) and school-sponsored extracurricular activities may require specific attire (safety gear, athletic attire, uniforms, hair tied back, etc.)

Non-Allowable Dress:

• Items that expose private parts of the body (genitalia, nipples or buttocks)
• Items with sexually suggestive language or messages
• Items that promote illegal or violent conduct, including but not limited to, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons and/or gang affiliation
• Items that depict hate speech, intimidation or intolerance toward protected groups
• Items that are profane or legally libelous
• Items that make the students face unidentifiable (protective masks, clothing/headgear worn for religious and medical purposes are excepted)

These standards will be published and distributed to students, families and staff at the beginning of each school year; a copy will be kept in each school building.

Dress Code Enforcement
To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently using the requirements outlined in this policy. School administration and staff shall not have discretion to vary the requirements in ways that lead to discriminatory enforcement. Staff shall not confront students on dress-code violations in a manner that unnecessarily disciplines or publicly shames the student.

Students shall only be asked to change, cover or remove their attire if they are wearing non-allowable items identified above. Under these circumstances students shall have the following options to comply with the dress code for the remainder of the day:

• Wear their own alternative clothing, if available at  school
• Wear school provided clothing
• Call a parent or guardian to bring alternative clothing

Violation of this policy will result in parent/guardian notification of the violation; a parental conference may be held at the discretion of the building level administrator. More severe consequences may result from repeated or serious violations in accordance with policy, Policy JD/JR, Student Conduct and Discipline Code; JRR, Student Rights and Responsibilities; and Policy JDSE, Student Suspension/Expulsion.

Reference:  BVSD BOE Policy JRDC (Vestimenta del Estudiante JRDC)

The master schedule is created from the course selections students make during registration time in the spring.  It is explained and impressed upon students that schedule changes are very difficult to make.

Consideration of course selection is a very important and serious process. All students are encouraged to create and maintain a four-year academic plan.

Schedule changes are made for the following reasons:

• A student has already taken the course
• Too many classes on the student’s schedule
• Imbalance of class size
• Error on student’s schedule

Procedure to change schedule:

• Students must first review their four-year plan with their counselor to see how the class change affects the student’s plan.
• All schedule changes and drop forms must have student, parent, teacher, and counselor signatures. (In many cases an administrator’s signature is also required.)
• Course changes should be completed within fifteen school days after the start of a new semester.
• Students may drop a class during the first fifteen days with no penalty; the course will not appear on student’s cumulative transcript. Students who drop a class in the sixteenth day through the thirtieth day of the semester will be issued a grade of “WP” (withdrawal passing) or “WF” (withdrawal failing) that will be recorded on the cumulative transcript.  This grade does not impact the student’s cumulative grade point average.  After the 15th day of class, a parent/teacher conference MUST occur prior to a student’s withdrawal from a course.
• Students who drop a class or discontinue attending after the thirtieth day of the semester will receive a grade of “F” that will be recorded on the transcript and will be averaged into the student’s cumulative grade point average.
• Class sizes must maintain a balance.  A class will not be overloaded to make a schedule change.
• Course changes will occur through the first week of school. Teacher changes will not be made unless a parent/teacher conference occurs prior to the request for schedule changes.

Freshmen and sophomores should enroll in seven classes per semester (70 credits).  Juniors and seniors must register for a minimum load of 5 classes per semester (50 credits) or a recommended load of 6 classes per semester (60 credits). Juniors and seniors may register for (70 credits) if they choose.  Students are required to maintain minimum class loads until graduation.  Students may graduate early and should contact a counselor for details.  A minimum of 100 credits must be earned in grades 11-12.  Freshmen are required to enroll in and attend Freshman Seminar.

Good attendance is vital to academic success in school. If a student is attending regularly, but still struggling in a class, it is important to seek help early and often. In addition to weekly tutor time, a struggling student should make appointments with his/her teacher(s) to get extra help.

If a student fails to pass a class during either semester of the school year, he/she will be required to attend summer school, or to make up the class on-line. There is no guarantee that a student will be able to retake a class during the regular school year. 

The Boulder Valley School District requires that a minimum of 220 credits be earned in grades 9-12.  The following credits must be earned in the areas listed below in order to graduate.

Language Arts – 40  
10 - Freshman Language Arts    
10 - World Literature and Comp    
10 - American Literature and Comp    
05 - Communications        

Social Studies - 30
05 - U.S. Government
05 - Geography
10 - U.S. History
10-World History/ World Studies

Math – 20     
Algebra 1 or higher    

Science – 20

Health - 5
Health Class or two semesters of the Living on Your Own class

Physical Education - 15

Fine Arts – 5  
Music, Art, or Foreign Language

Practical Arts - 5
Boulder Tec, Family & Consumer Studies, Business, Marketing, or Engineering

Second Language Acquisition -  10 at level 2 or higher

12 hours Personal Money Management    

Approved Electives – 75

Total = 220

Graduation Honors:
High academic achieving students deserve recognition and shall be awarded Summa, Magna and Cum Laude Honors.
To earn such honors, students will be selected based on their cumulative weighted GPA after seven semesters. Beginning in 2010 the top 20% of the graduates will be recognized as follows:  

Top 3%               =    Summa Cum Laude
Next Top 7%      =    Magna Cum Laude
Next Top 10%    =    Cum Laude

Other Important Graduation Information
Grades of Pass/Fail will only be allowed by principal approval and only under rare, special circumstances.  The use of Pass/Fail grading to elevate a student’s Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) is expressly prohibited

Classes taken by middle level students will be a part of those students’ middle school records regardless of where the classes are taken.  The classes will not appear on high school transcripts or be used in calculating high school G.P.A.’s. This action is intended to create equity in high schools regarding G.P.A.’s and is not intended to prevent students from graduating early who are otherwise eligible to do so.  Principals can consider high school classes taken at the middle school level when deciding to authorize early graduations.