Student Attendance and Absences

Regular attendance helps student be successful

It’s important for students to make and keep good attendance habits from the very first day of school to have a successful school year. Students who attend school regularly perform better academically and are more likely to graduate from high school than students who are chronically absent (defined as missing 10% or more of school days, excused or not). Unfortunately, one in three Colorado students are chronically absent, according to the Colorado Department of Education.  

To support student success, PSD has a goal of reducing chronic absenteeism by 50% and maintaining a 95% average daily attendance. While a goal of 100% attendance doesn’t leave space for occasional student illness, going to school 95% or more of the time helps students stay on track with their schoolwork and feel more connected with staff, peers, and activities at school, which has positive impacts on student mental health and belonging.  

Daily Attendance: Reporting Absences

• Please report a student absence by phone call, email, or in ParentVUE. Find out how to report an absence on ParentVUE.>>

• If an absence has not been reported before attendance is taken (within 30 minutes of the start of the school day), you will get an automated call, text, and email in a language that you speak.

• For safety reasons, the school needs to confirm you got the message saying your child is not at school. Please confirm receipt of the message by calling, texting, or emailing the school a response.

• School staff will try multiple times in multiple ways to contact a parent or guardian if we're unable to confirm receipt of an absence message. A home visit may be considered if there are multiple days of no contact from parents or guardians.

• Some students miss school routinely due to chronic behavioral, mental, or physical health issues. Parents and guardians of students in these situations can work with the school to create an individualized attendance communication plan.

Absence Notices

Our Synergy system will generate automated letters in both English and Spanish on designated dates throughout the school year. These letters notify parents and guardians of PSD students in grades K–12 when their child has been absent a certain number or percentage of days. The letters update families on their child’s attendance status and, if absences are ongoing or frequent, initiate increased communication, greater awareness, and/or further documentation. Pre-K families receive communication specific to their program.
 

Who gets a letter?

Any family whose child is approaching or has reached the level of being chronically absent or habitually truant—and who has not been flagged in Synergy for suspension of notification—will receive automated communication. Each school team has the ability to suspend notifications for families or students as they deem appropriate.

• Family Awareness: At the earliest sign of concern due to attendance patterns, when a student reaches 7% absence, families receive proactive information and resources about the importance of good attendance.

• Chronic Absenteeism: Missing at least 10% of school days so far in the year, including both excused and unexcused absences. Different letters are sent when a student has missed 10%, 15%, or 25% (or more) of school days.

• Habitually Truant: Four or more unexcused absences in one month, or 10 or more unexcused absences in a school year. Learn more about unexcused absences in the Student Code of Conduct under Student Attendance/Truancy (JH/JHB).
   

2025–26 Dates for Automated Letters

• Family Awareness letter for 7% absences begins on September 26.

• All other letters (in addition to the continuing Family Awareness letter) will be sent on October 17, November 17, and February 16 to update families and students about absence rates.

What happens if families receive one of these letters?

The goal of these letters is to increase communication and awareness, and to offer support to families—not to shame or punish. Each message is designed to be positive, informative, and encouraging, recognizing families as essential partners in improving student attendance.

• Family Awareness (7%): Families are reminded of the importance of good attendance and given information about simple actions they can take to support their student. Both excused and unexcused absences are counted.

• Chronic Absenteeism (10%+) or Truancy (4+ unexcused in a month): Families receive a letter for awareness and are encouraged to initiate more communication. They are prompted to reach out to schools about an optional meeting to discuss a plan for addressing barriers to attendance.

• Chronic Absenteeism (15%+) or Truancy (10+ unexcused in a year): Families are asked to provide documentation of absences (such as illness, appointments, or essential travel) and to contact the school to collaborate on problem-solving.

• Chronic Absenteeism (25%+): A meeting between the student, their parent(s)/guardian(s), and the school is strongly recommended. At this stage, schools typically have already reached out for support, but a face-to-face meeting becomes critical if absences are significantly affecting the student’s academic progress, social or behavioral development, or overall achievement. Partnering with families to determine supports and interventions can help students return to regular, positive attendance.
   

Who can help address the barriers to regular attendance?

Across PSD, all school staff play a role in building partnerships with families to support consistent attendance. A child’s teacher, counselor, school administration, and family liaison all contribute to identifying and addressing barriers. Together, we can create a plan to support every child—because every school day matters.