2026-2027 Student Handbook

Student Attendance

Reporting Absences

Absences must be reported on the school’s attendance line, even if the teacher has been informed of the absence. The school’s attendance line may be called at any time to report an absence or tardy. 

General Attendance Information

Regular, punctual school attendance is essential for student success. Frequent absences or tardiness disrupt learning, limit access to instruction, and can result in lower achievement, weaker social development, and increased risk of academic failure. Students who attend regularly generally earn higher grades and are better prepared for college and careers. Our goal for students is an attendance rate of 95% or higher.

State law requires children ages 6–16 to attend school. A student is considered habitually truant after 4 unexcused absences in a month or 10 in a school year. Students who are chronically absent, missing 10% of the school year, and habitually truant are subject to school and district attendance interventions. Parents, guardians, and students are responsible for ensuring daily, on-time attendance.

Vacations and non-emergency activities should be scheduled outside of school days. However, reasonable requests for excused absences due to vacation or other non-emergency reasons may be approved if the student maintains at least 95% attendance over the prior two grading periods and is meeting academic performance expectations as determined by school administration.

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. Students may NOT be released to any adult who is not on the Student Authorization Pick Up Form and does not have proper identification. 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. 

The Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) program serves elementary students beginning at 5 years of age.  The BASE Program is an extracurricular, optional, fee-based program. Space is limited and BASE Programs frequently have a list of families waiting for an opportunity to enroll in BASE. Capacities are in place due to space availability and staff to student ratios.

Students in the BASE Program engage in a wide variety of activities and choices providing students with opportunities to create, learn and grow through arts, physical activity and academic enrichment activities during out of school time.  All BASE activities allow students opportunities critical to their social-emotional development. For more information about our school's BASE program, contact the BASE Site Director at 720-972-5296.

Find more information about our district BASE Programs

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. 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. If you choose to send birthday treats of any kind, please arrange this with the teacher at least 48 hours beforehand. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate special requests for parents to attend the celebration or when the celebration will take place. 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.

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

• You must get your jacket before you come to lunch.
• No toys from home may be brought to lunch or recess. 
• 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. 
• Should a student cause a disturbance in the cafeteria, administration will be called. 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:

School Wide Communication

A Family newsletter will be emailed  monthly and posted on the school website to remind parents of important dates and events. Important reminders or information will also be posted on the new Adams 12 app. Additionally information may be shared via text, email, or auto dialer.  Please make sure to keep your email address and phone numbers updated in Infinite Campus so you receive these important messages. 

Students will not be allowed to use the office phone to make after school social arrangements. Students will be allowed to use the phone only in the following situations: 

• When requested by their teacher 
• When requested by an administrator 
• When requested by the health aide, nurse or office staff 

School office staff will only deliver emergency messages to students. Please assist us by making arrangements for after school pick-up and daycare prior to your child leaving for school in the morning. Response to parent phone calls/emails will be made within one business day.

Communication with your Child's Teacher

You have many pathways to communicate with your child's teacher. You can communicate by using:

• Adams 12 App
• Email
• Telephone:
  • Although teachers have telephones located in their classrooms, they have been directed to keep their ringers turned off during instructional time. If you want to reach your child’s teacher, you may do the following:
    • Call the classroom teacher and leave a voicemail. Teachers have been asked to check voicemail before and after school. 
    • Call the office, and they will deliver messages to your student’s teacher as soon as they can.

Staff are expected to respond to all communications within 24 hours whenever possible. If additional time is needed to provide a complete response, an acknowledgment of receipt should be sent within that timeframe.  

Your teacher will also communicate with you by using: 

• Home Learning Opportunities- Opportunities for parents to engage with their child’s education will be shared by general education teachers on Mondays and Wednesdays. The purpose of this opportunity should be to provide students an additional opportunity to practice and apply previously learned skills, but in a new situation and to allow parents to feel confident in supporting their children in their education. 
• Weekly Data Sharing Folders- Weekly data sharing folders will be sent home each Friday. The purpose is to allow families to see how their child is growing towards school grade level standards.

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.

Chaperone Policy

• RAPTOR checks are REQUIRED on all chaperones whether they are riding on the bus or driving themselves. 
• Chaperones who are in charge of a group of students must agree to be fully present by not bringing additional family members.  
• The number and gender of chaperones shall depend on the size, age, and composition of the group and the activity planned. 
• Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age and be a District employee or a parent or legal guardian registered in Infinite Campus under the name of the student participant.

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!

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.

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.

Students may not bring 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. Breakfast is served in our cafeteria daily from 7:35 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. Breakfast students should enter the cafeteria doors on the north side of the school at 7:35 a.m. Students arriving after 7:55 will receive a partial breakfast to take to class, so that they do not miss any instruction. 

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.

Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. It is imperative that students are dropped off no earlier than 7:35 a.m. and picked up by 2:50 p.m. Adult supervision is only available during these times before and after school. 

Parents may drop off students in front of the school in the cul-de-sac on W. 132nd Ct, on Westlake Dr., or behind the school on W. 132nd Ave. Parents may not drop off from the middle of the street. Please drop off next to a sidewalk. Drop off/Pick Up Map

Please help us keep students safe:

• Always use sidewalks and crosswalks.
• Drop off and pick up of students is along the curb only, so they don’t have to cross traffic other than at the crosswalk. A Hug and Go lane is located on the south side of the school.
• Avoid picking up or dropping off student in the parking lots.
• Avoid parking within 15 feet of school crosswalks.
• Parents should encourage children to adhere to all safety rules established for pedestrians. This emphasis on safety is also a concern of the school’s staff, and is an important part of the instructional program.
• Students are expected to go directly to and from school. They are to respect the rights and property of all people in the neighborhood.

Departure Procedures 

Students being picked up at school:

Students may only exit via their designated doors. Grade levels will communicate this to students and parents. Students in BASE or extracurricular activities must directly report to BASE or the extracurricular activities. Staff will assist K-2 students. Students and parents are not able to re-enter the building. 

Students taking the bus:

Students taking a bus must line up at the appropriate sign and stay by the sign. Staff are present to assist and ensure safety. Parents must communicate with the main office if their child is/isn’t taking a specific bus.

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. 

Information on emergency school closures due to severe overnight storms or other emergency situations is available on local television stations. Please listen for announcements concerning Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Information on closures may also be obtained by checking the District website: www.adams 12.org. You may also opt in to receive text messages by texting text YES to 67587. 

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.

Each school is staffed with a full time health aide. Each school is assigned a School Nurse, who visits our school at least once a week. Here are some important reminders about the difference between a health aide and a school nurse. 

• Health Aide: Full-time classified staff hired and evaluated at building level, trained and monitored by a School Nurse, must maintain current certifications in Medication Administration, Diabetes Management, and CPR/First Aid.
• School Nurse: Full-time, certified staff hired and evaluated at district level with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, and CDE Special Service Provider license. School Nurses serve 2-3 schools. The title “Nurse” is protected. Learn more here.
• Health Office: The Health Aide works in the Health Office providing care to students with the 8 Bs or daily or emergency medical care orders. Additionally, please see this document for information about what we can and cannot do at the school health office.

Centennial explicitly teaches the importance of Accountability, Belonging, and Courage, our Centennial values. When a student exhibits a behavior that is unsafe or impacts learning, we following the following protocol: Behavior Flow Chart .