Handbook

APS School Attendance Policies and Procedural Directives (from the APS Student Behavior Handbook)

Regular attendance is a key to school success. Students can learn only if they are on time and present in class daily. School districts and schools are held accountable for ensuring that all students meet high academic standards. On time, daily attendance is a critical component of this educational process.

Class lists are not final until the 20th day of school due to circumstances around student enrollment.  Great care is exerted in keeping classroom enrollment balanced as well as finding optimal classroom placement for each child who attends Dennis Chavez Elementary.  Individual teacher requests will not be granted.

Students are given a minimum of two weeks to adapt to a new classroom environment before any changes in placement will be considered.  After two weeks, if placement concerns are still present, the following steps will be initiated:

1. The parent/guardian meets with the classroom teacher to identify concerns, to establish open communication, and to develop a plan to solve or minimize any concerns.  The plan must be implemented for a minimum of two weeks before proceeding to step two. 
2. After the plan has been implemented for two weeks and all cooperative efforts are exhausted, if the parent/guardian continues to have concerns, the parent/guardian must notify the principal via email or written letter about those concerns.  The principal will arrange a formal conference with the parent/guardian and teacher to discuss the previous plan and its outcomes, as well as the continuing concerns.  A placement decision will be made at this meeting and a record of the conference kept on file in the office.
3. If a change in placement occurs, the principal will place the student according to placement criteria, which includes but is not limited to ESL requirements, Special Education requirements and other criteria for maintaining balanced classrooms.

“Albuquerque Public Schools shall prohibit student dress that may present a health or safety hazard, violate municipal or state law or present a potential disruption to the instructional program. The APS Board of Education shall not allow for the imposition of punishment, discrimination or disparate treatment against a student based on the student's racial identity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, cultural or religious identity and observances, household income, body size/type or body maturity or because of the student's use of protective hairstyles or cultural or religious headdresses.

Prohibited clothing and accessories include, but is not limited to:

• obscene or violent language or images

• depictions of alcohol or drugs or other illegal item or activity

• racist content, hate speech, profanity or pornography

• accessories that could be considered dangerous or used as a weapon

Hair color, length, style, including hair coverings or styles related to an individual’s personal, cultural or religious beliefs cannot be considered for disciplinary action.”

Guidelines for School Adopted Dress Code

“Individual Albuquerque Public Schools shall adopt student dress codes in compliance with the minimum requirements set forth in this procedural directive and board policy.

Each school community shall develop a dress code. Each school shall develop, implement and document processes utilized to ensure student, parent/legal guardian, school staff, and school community input and involvement in the planning and adoption process. The process shall include:

• a distribution of the proposed dress code to all parents/legal guardians and students

• an advertised public meeting at the school to allow discussion and comment on the proposed dress code

• a dress code process approved by the school site instructional councilThe school shall submit the proposed dress code and the family involvement and polling plan to the appropriate associate superintendent for approval prior to holding any community vote. 

The school shall document a vote on the proposed dress code with each student family having one vote. The school shall facilitate a voting process. At least sixty-five percent (65%) of the votes must be in support of the proposal before the school may adopt a student dress code.”

If an acceptable change of clothing is not available (i.e. some spare T-shirts will be kept in the nurse’s office), parents will be called to arrange for acceptable clothing to be brought to the school for your student. Inappropriately dressed children will wait in the administration office until their parents can provide a change of clothing.

Teachers are responsible for implementation and should adhere to the following procedure:

1. If a student is out of dress code, the teacher will call the parent (immediately) and request a change of clothing.

2. If the parent is unable to bring dress code attire, we have a clothing bank at school. The teacher will send the student with a note to the health room with documentation that they have contacted the family.  

3. The teacher will notify the counselor, health room staff, or administration if you feel a student needs assistance with dress code clothing (trip to APS clothing bank). 

***Dennis Chavez ES will follow all New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), Governor’s Orders, New Mexico Public Education Department (PED), and APS mask policies.

Use of personal cell phones, iPads, iPods, electronic books, MP3 players, etc. during instructional time or at a time that would be disruptive to the educational process, are not permitted.  The misuse of cell phones and other forms of technology that could include, but not be limited to the unauthorized taking of pictures, cheating, invading privacy, etc. (APS Policy Handbook). Electronic devices should not be brought to school and therefore, we are not responsible for damage, loss, or theft.  

Cell phones should always be off and calls, texts, etc. cannot be accepted or made during the school day which includes recess and lunchtime. (Necessary phone calls should be made from the office using the school’s phone system.) 

If a student disregards this policy with any personal electronic device, the student will be directed to turn it off and put it away. The second disregard of the policy will result in the item being taken away and stored in the administrative office.  Parents will need to retrieve the device.

Personal Electronic Devices:  As stated in APS Procedural Directive Student Acceptable Use of Personal Electronic Devices  A personal electronic device includes but are not limited to: cell phones, pagers, smart watches, music and media players, gaming devices, tablets, laptop computers and personal digital assistants.  Confiscated Electronic Devices – must be logged in at the office by the person confiscating the device.