Student Handbook

A summary of the Student Code of Conduct for Adams 12 Five Star Schools (the District) is available on the District’s website. For complete information, please refer to the latest version of each District policy, available here. 

This summary includes information such as:

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

More information to come.

Find more information about our district PEAK Programs

Student Attendance

Attendance Line: 720-972-5558

Absences must be reported on the school’s attendance line, even if the student’s teacher has been informed of the absence. The school’s attendance line may be called at any time to report an absence or tardy. When reporting absences, include your name, your student’s name, the teacher’s name, the date of absence, and the reasoning for the absence.

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. If the student arrives after 7:55 a.m., a parent/guardian must sign them in at the front desk.

Students must walk their bikes/scooters once on school grounds and to the bike rack area upon arrival. Bikes and scooters must be secured with a lock. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

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 students 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” policy. We recognize that not all families observe birthdays, and we are committed to respecting all cultural and personal values. Additionally, we will not hold “birthday celebrations” in class; however, individual students may be recognized for their birthday. We appreciate your support in this matter!

Birthday Invitations

To avoid hurt feelings, please distribute party invitations after school.

School-wide updates (VIKING VOYAGE) are sent through APPTEGY ALERTS every Friday. Teachers also communicate via email and Monday folders. Be sure to thoroughly read all communication, as it will contain important school-related information. 

Please ensure your email is up-to-date in Infinite Campus. If you need help updating your information, call the main office—we’re happy to assist!

Students may only use the office phone with permission for essential reasons:

• 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 before your student leaves for school in the morning. Response to parent phone calls and emails will be made within one business day.

Communication with your student’s teacher:

Although teachers have telephones located in their classrooms, they will not be able to answer phone calls during instructional time. If you want to reach your student’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.
• You may call the office, and they will deliver messages to your student’s teacher at the end of the day.
• You may call the classroom teacher before or after school.

You may also reach your student’s teacher via email. Your student’s teacher will provide you with the teacher’s email address, and you may email them at your convenience. You can expect to hear back from them within one business day or 24 hours.  

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:

Various classroom teachers may schedule field trips to nearby points of interest throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement various aspects of the classroom curriculum and introduce students to community resources. Parents will receive notice of scheduled field trips well in advance.

Parents must sign a permission form for all field trips at least 24 hours before the day of the field trip. Students without a permission slip will not be allowed to accompany their class on the field trip.

District Policy 3720

1.0  Adams 12 Five Star Schools is committed to providing a coordinated Whole Child approach to wellness that promotes proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and the development of social, emotional, and mental health skills as part of the total learning environment.  To achieve this, the District shall strive to create an environment that supports the whole child by meeting the goals outlined in this policy.  Clarification and guidance to help support the implementation of each goal can be found in the Wellness Policy Guidelines on the District website.

1.2 Goal Number 2. The District will support and promote proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance.

At NME, and in alignment with current research and Wellness Policy Goal 2, we recognize that caffeine and energy drinks can affect children more strongly than adults. Because children's bodies are smaller and still developing, even moderate amounts of caffeine may cause increased heart rate, anxiety, sleep difficulties, headaches, and trouble concentrating. Many energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, added sugars, and other stimulants that can place additional stress on the heart and nervous system.As children continue to grow and develop, health experts generally recommend avoiding energy drinks and limiting caffeine consumption. 

We encourage students to choose water, milk, and other low-sugar beverages as healthier alternatives.

Information on emergency school closures due to severe overnight storms or other emergencies is available on local television stations. Please listen for announcements concerning Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Information on closures may also be obtained by calling the District information number at 720-972-4000, then pressing 7 for school closure information or by checking the District website: www.adams12.org. Please note that school is rarely canceled. 

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 student misplaces an item, we encourage you to look in the lost and found at the bottom of the ramp.  Often, it is difficult to identify what they have lost. Please label coats, jackets, mittens, etc.

The remaining articles are donated to a local charity several times a year. 

We recommend leaving valuables and toys at home, so nothing gets lost or misplaced. Items having value for one individual usually have an attractive appeal for others, and unfortunately, can disappear. The school cannot be responsible for these items. Teachers may have a special celebration that 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.

To keep our school safe and welcoming for all students and families and in accordance with District Policy 1220, only service animals 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. 

Your child’s progress will be reported at individual parent conferences at least twice a year. Report cards are available through Infinite Campus parent portal at the end of each semester. Academic progress can also be found via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Your student’s safety is of utmost importance to us. Students are to be dropped off no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and picked up at 2:35 p.m. Adult supervision is not available outside before 7:45 am or after 2:45 p.m.  

Student Safety- Please help us keep students safe: 

• Remind your student to 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. Hug and Go lanes are located on the west side of the school and near the kindergarten playground on the northeast side of the school.  
• The school parking lot will be closed to visitors both before and after school.  
• Avoid parking within 15 feet of school crosswalks. 
• Parents should encourage students 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. 

School Security System

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. 
• 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 student before school or wait for your student after school, you will need to wait outside.

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.